David Adán

MESSI SET

A Barça return is unlikely, with  the star poised to renew at PSG

FOR PSG DEAL

After winning the World Cup,  Lionel Messi now needs to sort out his future. His PSG contract is up in June, and he has several options.

It seems likeliest that the 35-year-old will renew his PSG deal. AS can confirm that he has agreed in principle to extend his stay in Paris.

This follows Le Parisien's disclosure that Messi gave his word to the club during the World Cup that he would be penning a contract renewal.

The length of Messi’s new deal is still to be finalised, as his exact salary, but he wants to stay. It’s his best chance of winning the Champions League.

PSG president Nasser Al Khelaïfi: “I’ve said it a thousand times. He’s very happy in Paris. He looks happy. We’ll sit down for talks after the World Cup.”

In 27 games for PSG this season,  Messi has racked up 17 goals and 17 assists. He’s having a great campaign alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappé.

Another option for Messi is to return  to Barcelona. He wasn’t happy in  the French capital last season, and wished he hadn’t left Catalonia.

Financially, however, Barça will struggle to fit Messi’s wages into their salary cap. And on the field, he could hamper youngsters’ progress.

A move to the MLS is also possible,  but Messi showed in Qatar how much  he still has to offer. He wants to carry on competing at the top level.

Meanwhile, Messi is keen to keep on playing for Argentina. “I want to wear this shirt as a world champion,” he said after winning the World Cup.

Many in Argentina are pleading  with him to go to World Cup  2026. If he did, he’d be the first  man to feature at six editions  of the tournament.

Messi’s future is yet to be  confirmed, but all the indications are that he’ll stay in Paris. Do you think that’s the right decision?

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