Paris Saint-Germain attacker Lionel Messi will reportedly be offered a new deal by the French champions after the World Cup.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner endured a difficult first season of adaptation in Paris, having been forced to leave Barcelona in 2021 due to their financial problems.
However, Messi has thrived under the tutelage of Christophe Galtier this term, forming a fearsome front three with Kylian Mbappe and ex-Blaugrana teammate Neymar.
The 35-year-old is due to become a free agent at the end of the season, though, and he has been heavily linked with a sensational return to Barcelona in recent weeks.
Les Parisiens do possess the option to extend Messi's stay by another 12 months, but the club have been widely expected to sanction a new contract for the Argentina international.
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According to Goal, PSG have told Messi that he will have the offer of a fresh two-year deal on the table once he concludes his World Cup campaign with Argentina.
The report also pours cold water on links with a possible move back to Barcelona for Messi, who is said to be 'highly unlikely' to return to Camp Nou as a player.
The South American is not expected to make a final decision on his future until after the World Cup, but PSG are optimistic about their chances of extending his stay.
Messi helped PSG win the Ligue 1 title with four games to spare last season, and he now has 23 goals and 29 assists to show from 53 games for the capital giants.
The former Barcelona attacker only found the back of the net six times in the 2021-22 Ligue 1 campaign, but he has already increased his tally during a strong start to the current season.
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Messi has a total of 12 goals and 14 assists to show from 19 games for PSG this season, including seven strikes and 10 assists from 13 outings in the current league season.
The veteran attacker has unsurprisingly been at the heart of Argentina's World Cup campaign, playing every minute of his side's three Group C games and contributing two goals and an assist.
Messi found the back of the net against Saudi Arabia and Mexico before setting up Enzo Fernandez's second against the latter, although he failed to contribute in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Poland, having a penalty saved by Wojciech Szczesny.
However, La Albiceleste struck through Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez to finish first in Group C and set up a last-16 clash with Group D runners-up Australia.
Ben Knapton
