How far away it seems, the arrival with great fanfare of Lionel Messi at Paris-Saint-Germain. His transfer in the summer of 2021 carried the hope of a PSG king in Europe, capable of defeating the best teams in the Champions League. After two mixed years, the 35-year-old left-hander has not convinced, and the break with the Qatari club could occur at the end of June, once his contract has expired.
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After the decried defeat of PSG on Sunday against Lorient (1-3), the third of the last four home meetings, Lionel Messi flew in stride for Riyadh. An advertising contract valued at 30 million euros per year has linked him since 2019 to the Saudi Arabian tourist office. The Gulf monarchy, known for its human rights failures, is trying to polish its image in order to host the FIFA World Cup in 2030. As a good ambassador, the Argentinian has praised on his social networks the ” unsuspected wonders which abounds in the Saudi kingdom. The government was quick to share neat snaps of the Messi family discovering the local heritage and its luxurious pursuits.
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Messi s’excuse
Problem: PSG coach Christophe Galtier summoned his players to Camp des Loges for a session on Monday, when the star, already installed on the plane, thought he would have a day off. The Messi clan assures that this stay, twice postponed in the past, was planned for a long time. However, if the club was informed of his absence, he had not given his consent. The Qatari leaders therefore initiated disciplinary proceedings against him for having failed in his obligations, accompanied by an immediate suspension. No training, no game, no salary or bonuses for an estimated two weeks reports “ the team “. Lionel Messi will therefore be absent for the trip to Troyes on Sunday, as well as for the reception of Ajaccio on May 13. Christophe Galtier did not wish to comment on this arbitration, while the Argentinian apologized this Friday, May 5, in a suit in a video posted on Instagram :
“Honestly, I thought we would have a day off after the game, as usual. I had organized this trip and I could not cancel it. »
This decision is surprising, because PSG has often been accused of laxity in the face of the deviations of its stars. ” I hope this will mark the beginning of a new, stricter era, with fewer passes.says Léo, 20, a supporter of Paris-Saint-Germain from the cradle. Player stature is good for selling shirts, but on the pitch they should all be treated the same. »
The Qatari management had not taken such a measure since the 2016 layoff of Serge Aurier. The side had insulted some of his teammates and his coach Laurent Blanc during a live broadcast. Lionel Messi’s supporters find this sentence disproportionate, such a crime of lèse-majesté. The Argentinian sports daily “Olé” judges her “ strange, violent and unjust “against the” best in the world, with exemplary conduct during his career. Misunderstanding seizes the Argentine people, ready to defend at all costs the one who offered them their third World Cup in 2022.
Record recipes… but without magic
In any case, Messi’s two seasons in the red and blue jersey leave a bitter observation. There ” For money “Certainly does not have to be ashamed of his statistics, with 31 goals and 33 assists in 71 games played. But the attacking trio he forms with Mbappé and Neymar, formidable on paper, did not shine in the Champions League. The two early eliminations in the round of 16 deprived PSG of this coveted trophy. After a difficult adaptation, the Argentinian never won the hearts of the Parisian supporters. He was even whistled, especially after a missed penalty last season against the Madrid goalkeeper.
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Finally, his stay in Paris is like an exchange of courtesies devoid of magic. Messi secures a salary of more than 30 million euros net per year, which other clubs would struggle to offer him, while he brings a considerable boost to the international notoriety of PSG. The club has recorded record revenues since its arrival in the workforce, with an explosion in sales of shirts flocked to its name. However, the commercial success of PSG is not enough to satisfy its fans. Denis, 58, subscriber to the Parc des Princes since 1979, criticizes the ” disastrous club policy » since its acquisition by Qatar Sport Investment (QSI) in 2011:
« It bothers me that President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi puts the brand image of PSG before sports performance. For the first time this year, I happen to pass on my places, whereas usually I never miss a match. If it continues like this, I could give up my subscription. »
Breaking with the Qataris, Messi tempted by Saudi Arabia?
As a result, hundreds of angry supporters protested with banners and smoke bombs against these poor results on Wednesday in front of PSG headquarters in Boulogne-Billancourt. Security was tightened with security guards posted outside the training center and the homes of Neymar, Messi and Verratti, who were targeted by insults blaming their lack of investment. The club of Parisian ultras denounces in a press release the « discount recruitment » and the « catastrophic management in recent years which has offered golden bridges to mercenaries, to overrated and little concerned players, but also to stars at the end of the course. “Reassembled, the ultras call for” clean the locker room ».
Their wish could be heard, because this affair augurs a break between Lionel Messi and the Qataris. Argentinian Sergio Rek, former correspondent in Spain for the Fox Sports channel, has known the footballer since he was 14 and assures us that he wants to leave Paris, in particular because ” PSG fails to found a team beyond the ego of its players “. Negotiations to extend his contract no progress for a month », confirms Florent Torchut, journalist at “France Football”, also close to Messi’s entourage. The end of the season is approaching, and there will be three games left when his suspension is lifted. His return to Ligue 1 lawns is therefore scheduled for May 21 in Auxerre, unless he decides otherwise.
Say Uncle Obs… Why is Saudi Arabia so powerful?
For the future, the reigning world champion primarily covets his historic team, FC Barcelona, where he spent 21 years of his career. But this last dance on its land seems complicated since the Catalan club, in financial difficulties, must lower its payroll by 200 million euros. ” With Barca keen to retain expensive youngsters like Gavi and Pedri, there’s no place for Messi in the equation “, slices the journalist Florent Torchut. If deals fail in other European leagues, such as England and Italy, Lionel Messi will surely have to draw a line under the Champions League.
Elsewhere, the offers are not lacking. Inter Miami, the American club of David Beckham, could reach out to him for a large sum. The Saudi club Al-Hilal him would have already offered 363 million euros per year. There, Lionel Messi could find the other football icon, the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo, landed in January at Al-Nasr. Bringing together these two great rivals in its championship would be a successful bet for Saudi Arabia.
