Global Courant 2023-05-03 21:11:49
Paris France.
It arrived with great fanfare in August 2021 and, less than two years later, it has all the ballots to go out the back door. Lionel Messi and the PSG They are close to breaking a relationship worn by the failures in the Champions League in 2022 and 2023.
Messi’s absence from training on Monday, May 1, due to a trip -unauthorized, according to the club- to promote Saudi Arabia as a tourist destination had a resounding and unexpected response from the Parisian leadership: he was removed from the team for two weeks and suspended from employment and salary for the same period.
Although the club has not yet confirmed this punishment, considered the harshest imposed on a player during the 11 years of Qatari ownership, the French media leaked details of it and reported the indignation of president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and his sports right-hand man. Portuguese Luis Campos.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner left Paris for Riyadh one day after PSG’s defeat at the Parc des Princes against modest Lorient (1-3) to honor his advertising commitments with the Saudi Tourist Office, a two-year contract for about 30 million euros, according to the calculations of the French press.
Citing sources close to the Argentine, L’Équipe explains that the player -who has a salary of around 40 million euros net per year- had already had to report his Saudi commitment on two occasions, an argument that has not convinced Al-Khelaifi.
Thus, the divorce between Messi and PSG is taken for granted. The 35-year-old Argentine world champion’s contract ends on June 30 and his renewal is seen as a chimera by the entire French press.
WILL MESSI PLAY AGAIN WITH PSG?
It is even speculated that the match on April 30 against Lorient was the last in which La Pulga was seen wearing the number 30 jacket of Paris Saint Germain.
As reported by L’Equipe, PSG has decided not to activate the option that would automatically extend Messi’s contract, with which he would be free at the end of the season. This would be added to the sanction and according to the information that comes to light this Wednesday, The Argentine will not continue in the French capital next season.
The two weeks of suspension include the league matches against Troyes (May 7) and Ajaccio (13). In theory, he could reappear against Auxerre (21). After that clash, Strasbourg (27) and Clermont Ferrand (June 3) would remain.
While neither the 10 of the Albiceleste nor the PSG have ruled on this more than probable break, the group of Parisian fans CUP have been at odds with a large part of the team for some time, including Messi, who they have whistled on several times.
Today they have called a demonstration, in front of the club’s management headquarters in Boulogne-Billancourt (in the southwest of Paris), to show that “things have to change” in a “structured and intelligent” way.
The fans’ frustration with Messi has been palpable for a long time, especially after the eliminations in the Champions League (eighth against Real Madrid in 2022 and also eighth against Bayern Munich in 2023).
Not even having what is considered the best footballer of the 21st century in a lead with Kylian Mbappé and Neymar has been enough to lift a trophy, which is the real goal of PSG management.
And that the Argentine, after a relatively discreet 2021-2022 season for his parameters, shows off an enviable service sheet this season: with 20 goals and 19 assists in 37 games, adding up all competitions.
SAUDI ARABIA, BARCELONA OR MIAMI
In the event of consummation of the divorce, the French press points to three possible paths.
Like his historic rival Cristiano Ronaldo, finishing in the Saudi championship, in exchange for the best salary ever offered to a footballer; return to Barcelona, in case the Catalan club manages to balance the accounts; or enter the American League (MLS), specifically at David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
Wherever Messi goes, it will also remain to be seen how PSG recomposes, not only sportingly, but financially. The Argentine has been a magnet for new sponsorships and has given a boost to the internationalization of the club’s brand like never before.
On the other hand, the departure of the Argentine star would help the Parisian club to get closer to the parameters of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play and would allow it to make transfers in the summer market.
