MX23RW : Friday, January 24 00:30:37| >> :120:11886:11886:

Lionel Messi 'to leave Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer at the end of June'

Messi 'to leave PSG on a free transfer at the end of June'
© Reuters
World Cup winner Lionel Messi will leave Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of June, according to a report.

Lionel Messi will reportedly leave Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of June.

The Argentina international penned a two-year contract with the French giants in the summer of 2021 after leaving Barcelona due to their financial problems.

The agreement included the option to renew the deal for another year, taking him until next June, but according to BBC Sport, the decision has now been made for him to cut ties with the capital giants this year.

The report claims that neither Messi nor PSG want to continue their relationship, with the club looking to move in a different direction, as they attempt to finally end their frustration in the Champions League.

The World Cup winner has been suspended by PSG for two weeks after he travelled to Saudi Arabia without the club's permission earlier this week.

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their second goal on March 23, 2023© Reuters

Messi allegedly asked for permission to make the trip in order to 'carry out commercial work', with the experienced forward a tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia.

However, PSG refused to allow the forward permission, and he has now been suspended for two weeks, which will see him miss matches against Troyes and Ajaccio, while he will also not train with the club.

Messi has featured on 37 occasions at club level during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 20 goals and registering 16 assists in the process.

The Argentine netted four goals and registered four assists in seven Champions League appearances, but PSG were knocked out by Bayern Munich in the last-16 stage of the competition.

Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022© Reuters

Messi has also scored 15 goals and registered 15 assists in 28 Ligue 1 appearances this term, with Christophe Galtier's side top of the table, five points clear of second-placed Marseille.

Barcelona continue to be heavily linked with Messi, with the Catalan outfit determined to re-sign him this summer, but it remains to be seen whether the club can afford him due to their ongoing financial problems.

Inter Miami are said to lead the MLS interest in a player widely recognised as one of the best footballers in the history of the sport.

Meanwhile, a number of Saudi Arabian clubs are believed to be prepared to make him the highest-paid player of all time above Cristiano Ronaldo to make the move to the country this summer.

Messi may have already played his last game for the club, but at this stage, he will be available for the Ligue 1 fixtures against Auxerre, Strasbourg and Clermont.

ID:512950:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4760:
Written by
Matt Law

Lionel Messi future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Lionel Messi

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal on April 8, 2023
Read Next:
PSG 'suspend Lionel Messi over unauthorised Saudi visit'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid20144247202746
2Atletico MadridAtletico20135234132144
3Barcelona20123552232939
4Athletic Bilbao20116331181339
5Villarreal209653831733
6Mallorca209381925-630
7Real Sociedad208481714328
8GironaGirona208482827128
9Rayo Vallecano206862323026
10Osasuna206862429-526
11Sevilla207582329-626
12Real BetisBetis206772226-425
13Celta Vigo2073102932-324
14Las PalmasLas Palmas2064102533-822
15Leganes205781929-1022
16Getafe204881417-320
17AlavesAlaves2055102432-820
18Espanyol2054111932-1319
19Valencia2037101929-1016
20Real ValladolidValladolid2043131439-2515


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!