Lionel Messi was linked with PSG in 2021.Image Credit source: psg.fr
New Delhi: Argentina’s world champion captain and great player of this era, Lionel Messi has left the French club Paris Saint Germain (PSG). French champion PSG itself issued a statement late Saturday evening announcing Messi’s separation from the club. Messi’s two-year journey with PSG ended with the last match of Ligue-1 (French League) on Saturday. The question remains whether Messi will return to Barcelona again or play elsewhere.
Messi, who was a part of Spain’s legendary club Barcelona Football Club for almost 20 years, left the club in 2021 itself. Only after that PSG signed Messi as a free transfer. Messi and PSG’s agreement was only for two years, but it could be extended further. However, this ultimately did not happen.
PSG announces Messi’s departure
For the past several weeks, there was speculation and rumors about Messi leaving PSG. On Saturday, the club itself announced this before its last match of this season. PSG issued a statement thanking Messi for “the best footballer of this era” joining the club and contributing to the club’s success.
After two seasons with PSG, the adventure between Leo Messi and Paris Saint-Germain will come to an end at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
The Club wishes Leo, with undeniable emotion, many more achievements for the rest of his career. #MerciMessi
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) June 3, 2023
Messi, who won the World Cup for the first time in December last year, played a total of 74 matches for PSG in two years while living in France and scored a total of 32 goals. Along with this, 35 assists also came in his account. His debut took place on 29 August 2021 and in September 2021 he scored his first goal for the club. Messi, who always wore the number 10 jersey for Barcelona and Argentina, wore the number 30 jersey in PSG.
Paris Saint-Germain would like to warmly thank the seven-time Ballon d’Or, winner of a Trophée des Champions and two French championship titles wearing the Red & Blue colours.#MerciMessi pic.twitter.com/VrHxb5lCHM
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) June 3, 2023
Criticism from fans
PSG’s time for Messi was full of ups and downs. He got the love of the fans many times, but in the last few months, in the midst of the poor performance of the team, Messi, especially the fans, took a lot of criticism. The fans of the club kept shouting slogans against Messi on PSG’s home ground. A few days ago, Messi was suspended from the club for going to Saudi Arabia without informing, after which Messi apologized by releasing the video.
#MerciMessi pic.twitter.com/TDqIepDo2F
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) June 3, 2023
Barcelona return or rivalry with Ronaldo?
The biggest question now is, which will be Messi’s next club? Barcelona coach and Messi’s former teammate Javi Hernandez has talked many times about bringing Messi back to the club, while top club officials are also talking about including Messi back in Barcelona. However, this has not been easy due to the club’s financial condition and being embroiled in several rule violations.
Apart from Barcelona, different claims have been made about Messi. A few weeks ago, the French agency AFP claimed that Messi had received an offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, which he had accepted. However, this claim was then rejected by the Messi family. If Messi really joins Al-Hilal, then his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nasr) will be alive again in the Saudi league.
Source: www.tv9hindi.com
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