Lionel Messi to leave PSG at end of season after two years at the club

Lionel Messi will leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season after spending two years at the team, the club confirmed on Saturday. Messi joined the Parisians in August 2021 after he could not renew his contract with Barcelona due to the financial regulations of the Spanish giants.

Messi was brought by the French Ligue 1 club in order to end their quest for their maiden UEFA Champions League title. However, PSG could not go past the Round of 16 game in the last two seasons despite having an impressive forward line of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe.

Messi had 21 goals and 20 assists for PSG in all competitions this season but he would not be renewing his contract. In fact, the Argentine captain was booed by the PSG crowd on multiple occasions this season.

“After two seasons in the French capital, Leo Messi’s adventure with Paris St Germain will come to an end at the conclusion of the 2022–23 campaign,” PSG said in a statement.

PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi gave his gratitude to Messi for helping the club win back-to-back Ligue 1 titles.

“I would like to thank Leo Messi for his two seasons in Paris. To see a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner in the Rouge & Bleu and at Parc des Princes, winning back-to-back Ligue 1 titles and inspiring our younger players has been a pleasure,” PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi said in the club’s statement.

“His contribution to Paris Saint-Germain and Ligue 1 cannot be understated and we wish Leo and his family all the best for the future.”

Messi’s father and agent Jorge Messi has said that his son would love to return to Barcelona.

Jorge told reporters, “Of course, he [Messi] would love to return to Barcelona. I would like it too. We will see.”

PSG host Clermont in the final round of Ligue 1 later on Saturday.