Lionel Messi has agreed to a two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). He will soon make his move to the French capital after his shocking exit from Barcelona.
Messi plans to sign a two-year deal with PSG and a net salary of £25 million per season ($34.6 million). The contract also includes a £25 million fee at signing and a third-year option at £25 million.
ESPN reported in July that Messi had agreed to a five-year extension to remain at Barcelona while taking a significant wage reduction. However, the club wasn’t able to fit his contract into its wage limit for 2021-22. They announced on Aug. 5 that Messi would leave after 17 years.
“I am really sad because I didn’t want to leave because this is the club I love,” he said in a farewell news conference. “I didn’t expect this… Last year I wanted to leave; this year I didn’t. That’s why I am so sad.”
Iconic striker Lionel Messi cries during a press conference confirming his departure from Barcelona at their stadium the Nou Camp, August 8, 2021. © Pau Barrena, AFP
Messi noted he offered to reduce his salary by 50 percent, but the club still couldn’t make it work financially. It left an opportunity for other teams to add him without having to pay a transfer fee.
Despite obvious interest from top clubs in Europe, Paris Saint-Germain landed Messi to continue an impressive transfer window. Recent additions to the team are former captain from Real Madrid, Sergio Ramos, and Gianluigi Donnarumma. With Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and others already on the roster, PSG is the likely favourite for both Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
Messi Arrives in Paris
Lionel Messi flew via private jet to Paris on Tuesday to finalize his move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Lionel Messi arrives at El Prat airport in Barcelona. Photo by JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images
The Argentina international travelled to the French capital following Sunday’s emotional farewell to Barcelona at a news conference.
PSG officially announced his arrival through a 13-second video on their social media with images of Messi’s No. 10 Argentina shirt and a graphic that read: “New diamond in Paris.”
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 10, 2021
Messi boarded the aircraft as hundreds of fans waited for him at the Bourget airport in France and at PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium. The Bombardier Global 7500 touched down in France just after 3.30 p.m local time on Tuesday (10.30 a.m. ET).
Lionel Messi waves after arriving at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris. Photograph: François Mori/AP
Messi, wearing a shirt that read “This is Paris,” waved to fans upon his arrival.