2023-05-05 10:00:00
Suspended for two weeks by Paris Saint-Germain, the Argentinian striker will pack his bags, with several potential points of fall.
By Adrian Mathieu
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LLionel Messi’s trip has caused a lot of ink to flow. After being suspended for two weeks by Paris Saint-Germain, who had not authorized him to leave for the Gulf, the future of the world champion is far from the capital. While in February the Parisian management openly mentioned their desire to extend the Argentinian, recent events have buried this possibility. And despite his advanced age, several options are on the table today to pursue his career. But where will the Pulga bounce?
After leaving Barça in tears in 2021, can Lionel Messi make his comeback to rekindle the flame at Camp Nou? The Catalan club dreams in any case of bringing him back, even if the financial context is not ideal. Last summer, FC Barcelona invested heavily in the transfer window and in particular activated economic levers, notably by sacrificing TV rights.
Should he return to Barca, Messi will have the opportunity to achieve these goals:
• 800 games (778)
• 700 buts (672)
• 200 assists in a League (192)
• 400 La Liga wins (383) pic.twitter.com/99jTSI1vJC— ���������� ����#19 (@reyllinho) May 4, 2023
According to the Argentine press, the 35-year-old striker has also decided to live his two weeks of suspension in his Barcelona residence, which he kept after his departure. Simple nostalgia or a desire to prepare the ground? In any case, La Liga is still monitoring the actions of Barça and its payroll. So it would take a hell of a lot of sleight of hand and selling a lot of key pieces to see Messi return.
Al-Hilal, for the contract of the century
With his trip to Saudi Arabia, where he is an ambassador for the tourist office, Lionel Messi may have scouted for next season. The leaders of Al-Hilal would be ready to give him a golden bridge so that he comes to evolve in the Saudi championship. The figures put forward by the Argentine daily olé make you dizzy: we are talking about a salary of 420 million euros per year for the sevenfold Ballon d’Or. For comparison, he currently earns 35 million euros a year with Paris Saint-Germain…
While waiting to find out if Messi will get this remuneration never seen in the history of sport, some are salivating in advance of the potential reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo. The Argentinian’s main rival has been evolving since last winter at Al-Nassr. Far from the scent of a Real-Barça classico, many still dream of seeing the two best players of this century cross swords again.
Inter Miami, to join the Beckham project
Third track, third continent. In addition to Europe and the Persian Gulf, America, and more specifically the United States, also dreams of seducing Lionel Messi. Major League Soccer continues to develop just over three years from the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the USA in particular. The “soccer” hopes to attract a star to put a boost by this deadline, and could well set its sights on the star of Albiceleste.
READ ALSOKylian Mbappé, 3rd highest paid athlete in the worldA club wants to propose a project cut for the Argentinian: Inter Miami, whose owner is none other than David Beckham. The Englishman would like to bring Messi by offering him a comfortable salary, but also by encouraging him to invest on the spot, with the idea of also acquiring an MLS franchise. A lucrative project that could not leave him indifferent.
At the end of his contract with PSG, Lionel Messi therefore has two months ahead of him to think about his future, now far from the capital. After the rebellion of the supporters in front of the headquarters of Paris Saint-Germain and the suspension pronounced by his club, the striker could even have played his last match Sunday against Lorient (1-3). No one imagined such an outcome for the legend that came from Rosario.
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