Revealed: Messi’s excitement at renewing with Barcelona
FT Desk
- Updated: 23 May 2023 08:46 CDT
- 3 min read
Sergio Aguero has revealed that Lionel Messi was so excited about the prospect of renewing his Barcelona contract in 2021, prior to the extension falling through.
Messi shocked the world of football just over a year ago when he joined PSG from Barcelona on a free transfer.
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He had been expected to sign a new deal when his Barcelona contract expired at the end of the 2020-21 season.
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But Barcelona were unable to extend his deal – mainly for financial reasons - leading to an infamous farewell press conference in which Messi broke down and cried.
What did Aguero say about Messi?
“When Leo Messi was about to extend his contract with FC Barcelona, every couple of days he got excited – ‘take a picture of me with the Barça shirt’, he used to ask me,” Aguero, who joined Barcelona on a free transfer in 2021 before retiring due to health problems months later, said in an interview with El Chiringuito.
Messi endured a difficult first season in Paris, scoring just four Ligue 1 goals all campaign and performing poorly as PSG were dumped out of the Champions League – capitulating from 2-0 up on aggregate to lose 3-2 to Real Madrid in the last-16.
READ MORE: How much does Lionel Messi earn and what is the football legend’s net worth?
However, he has been in fine form so far this campaign, already registering nine goals and 10 assists.
Messi’s contract with PSG expires at the end of the 2022-23 season, although he has an option to extend his deal by another year.
There has been talk that Messi will return to Barcelona on a free transfer next summer.
Messi broke virtually every record during over 20 years at Camp Nou, scoring an incredible 672 goals in 778 games.
He also won 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League, in addition to numerous other individual and team honours.
