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Lionel Messi 'set to leave Paris Saint-Germain next summer'

Lionel Messi 'set to leave PSG next summer'
© Reuters
Lionel Messi is not considering a renewal of his Paris Saint-Germain contract and will leave the club on a free transfer next summer, according to a report.

Paris Saint-Germain attacker Lionel Messi is reportedly set to leave the French champions in the summer of 2023.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner struggled to hit his regular goalscoring heights during his debut campaign at the Parc des Princes, netting 11 goals in all tournaments while setting up 15 more.

Since Christophe Galtier arrived to replace Mauricio Pochettino, Messi has flourished in the star-studded frontline with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in the French capital.

The Argentina international already has six goals and eight assists to boast from 11 outings this term, as PSG sit two points clear of Marseille at the top of the Ligue 1 table.

Messi's underwhelming first season at the Parc des Princes led to speculation that he could exit PSG after just one year, but he will seemingly honour his contract until the end of the campaign.

Lionel Messi in action for Paris Saint-Germain on August 13, 2022© Reuters

An option to extend the former Barcelona man's stay until 2024 does exist, but he could potentially depart as a free agent in under 12 months' time.

A return to Camp Nou continues to be mooted for the 35-year-old, and according to Beteve - via Miquel Blazquez - Messi is not prepared to sign a new deal in Paris.

As a result, the South American will end his association with the Ligue 1 champions at the end of the season, although his next career move remains shrouded in uncertainty.

The attacker - who has 17 goals and 23 assists in 45 outings for PSG in all competitions - has been linked with a move to MLS if a return to Barcelona does not materialise.

La Blaugrana are rumoured to be making plans to facilitate a reunion with Messi, though, with the Argentine bidding farewell in 2021 after Barca's economic situation made it impossible for the club to keep him.

Lionel Messi in action for Paris Saint-Germain on September 10, 2022© Reuters

A recent report claimed that Barcelona were considering re-hiring Messi in a club ambassador role when he hangs up his boots, but a return to the playing squad has not been ruled out either.

President Joan Laporta has brokered numerous deals to alleviate Barca's financial crisis, but Messi would still need to take a massive slash on his salary to rejoin Xavi's squad.

Barcelona's economic vice president Eduard Romeu was recently questioned on the possibility of re-signing Messi by Mundo Deportivo, and the Catalan chief insisted that such a move could be feasible next summer.

"As it would be on a free, so surely yes. [But] it would be a technical decision, anyways. There is salary margin, we made an effort this summer & if any signing is needed [January], we'll analyse," Reshad Rahman quotes Romeu as saying.

Messi left Barcelona in 2021 as the club's all-time leading goalscorer and appearance maker after registering 672 strikes in 778 matches for the La Liga giants.

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Lionel Messi in PSG training on August 19, 2022
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG108202982126
2Marseille1062223121120
3MonacoMonaco10622157820
4Lille10532169718
5Nice104421991016
6Lyon104331715215
7Lens1035297214
8Reims104241615114
9StrasbourgStrasbourg103431919013
10Auxerre104151718-113
11Brest104151316-313
12Toulouse103341111012
13Rennes103251316-311
14NantesNantes102441214-210
15Angers102441116-510
16Saint-EtienneSt Etienne103161024-1410
17Le HavreLe Havre10307820-129
18Montpellier HSCMontpellier10118830-224


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