Barcelona's departing Argentinian forward Lionel Messi arrives at El Prat airport in Barcelona on August 10, 2021. - France is waiting impatiently for Lionel Messi with supporters gathering outside Paris Saint-Germain's ground hoping to see the Argentine who is expected to join the Qatar-owned club after his exit from Barcelona. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP) (Photo by JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi set to sign with Paris Saint-Germain
Supporters gather outside Le Bourget airport, north of Paris, where Argentinian football player Lionel Messi is expected to arrive on August 10, 2021, two days after the 34-year-old told at his tearful farewell news conference in Barcelona that joining French football club Paris Saint-Germain was a “possibility”. – Paris Saint-Germain supporters have been gathering in anticipation of the arrival of Argentina superstar Lionel Messi after his emotional Barcelona departure at the weekend. (Photo by Sameer Al-DOUMY / AFP) (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)
PSG win the race to sign former Barcelona star Lionel Messi
Despite reports that Barcelona prepared a last minute offer to Lionel Messi, the Argentinian superstar is en route to Paris where he is set to sign with the Ligue 1 giants, PSG.
According to ESPN, the 34-year-old is set to sign a two-year contract with an option for a third. He is also slated to earn more at the club than Neymar.
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PSG swooped in fairly quickly after Barcelona announce they would be unable to reach an agreement on a renewal with Messi. The reasons as to why are still not fully understood but the consensus points to the salary restrictions imposed by LaLiga and the mismanagement of the previous board.
Messi held an emotional press conference where he admitted joining PSG could be a possibility. That possibility has now turned into reality.
Messi had other offers but he seemed to like the one from PSG the most. In addition to being paid well, he’ll be reunited with the likes of Neymar and his national team teammates, Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes. Those three should go a long way to help Messi settle into a new environment.
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Messi arrives with PSG with both player and club wanting the same thing: Champions League glory.
The Argentinian is just the cherry on top on what has been a very productive summer for the French giants. Messi joins Sergio Ramos, Achraf Hakimi, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Georginio Wijnaldum as new additions to the team.
Coupled with the likes of Marco Verratti, Marquinhos, Kylian Mbappe and the aforementioned Neymar, it’s no wonder why Messi saw PSG as the best destination for his post-Barcelona career.
The sting of losing Messi will not fade away easily for Barcelona. Messi now heads off on a new adventure with PSG. A club who, unlike Barcelona, have the capacity to build a strong side with Messi no longer needing to carry a team on his back.
