Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain have reached an agreement in principle for a contract renewal – Gulliem Balague
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has reached an “agreement in principle” to extend his contract with Paris Saint-Germain, reports BBC Sport’s Guillem Balague.
The 35-year-old Messi, who led Argentina to the World Cup in Qatar, has a contract with the French club until June 2023.
Earlier this week, Barcelona president Joan Laporta said he wanted Messi to return to the Spanish club, where he spent 21 years.
But Balagu said Barca had not contacted Messi about a return.
He will sign a one-year contract with an option for a further year and the deal was reached after four months of talks between PSG director of football Luis Campos and Messi’s father Jorge.
After that, an important meeting with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi took place in Doha.
European football expert Balagu: “Actually, everyone agrees with PSG. “Barcelona did not offer him or his father anything.
“So, it’s not that Messi doesn’t want to return to Barcelona. No questions asked.
“Messi is happy with everything and when he comes back from vacation, the deal will be quick.
“Life in Paris is balanced, he is happy, everyone is happy and he has a chance to win the Champions League again. And he will help again as a contender for the Ballon d’Or.”
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was name World Cup player as Argentina beat France to lift their third title.
After leaving Barcelona, Messi signed a two-year contract as a free agent, with a third in 2021.
So far, he has played 53 games for the Ligue 1 side, scoring 23 goals in all competitions.
Argentina has won one World Cup, four Champions Leagues, one Copa America, 10 La Liga titles with Barcelona and the French Ligue 1 crown with PSG.
One of the greatest players of all time, he scored 672 goals in 778 games for Barcelona, which he joined at the age of 13.
He ended his link with the Catalan club after failing to agree a new contract in La Liga in 2021 linked to his salary.
