Messi’s exit from PSG sealed
Lionel Messi has done himself a disservice with his trip to Saudi Arabia. Without discussing the trip with his employer Paris St. Germain, the world champion got on the plane and went about his duties as the ambassador of the desert state. PSG had no choice but to suspend La Pulga for two weeks. “The break” headlines ‘L’Équipe’ under pictures of Messi and President Nasser Al-Khelaifi. The French club Messi will no longer submit a contract offer for an extension.
The tablecloth is torn. That is why the ‘Mundo Deportivo’ in Spain writes very clearly: ‘PSG part ways with Messi’. Messi’s trip to the sponsor also made headlines in Italy. On the first page of ‘Tuttosport’ it says in large letters: “Messi, what a thunderstorm!” It was not foreseeable a few months ago that the ball virtuoso’s time in the city of love would end in this way. It remains to be seen how the Ligue 1 leaders’ fans will react to Messi when he returns to the Parc des Princes in the final stages of the season. There will probably be a whistle concert to be expected.
CR7: Saudi Arabi Money Rich
Things are currently not going particularly well for Cristiano Ronaldo. Although he scores regularly for his club Al-Nassr, his team is only second in the Pro League and has to worry about the championship. At least economically, the change from CR7 was worth it. ‘Forbes’ now has an article with the “Ten highest paid athletes in the world 2023” published. At least on this list, Ronaldo is at the top. The business magazine credits the 38-year-old Portuguese with a total of 136 million US dollars. Additional income is included here.
Behind Ronaldo in second place is Lionel Messi ($130 million) and in third place is Kylian Mbappé ($120 million). The footballers dominate the financial ranking. Only behind come greats from the US sport. LA Lakers’ LeBron James with $119.5 million and boxer Canelo Álvarez with $110 million in earnings. Another footballer is no longer in the game, the top ten complete Dustin Johnson (Golf, $107 million), Phil Mickelson (Golf, $106 million), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors, $100.4 million), Roger Federer (tennis, $95.1 million) and Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns, $89.1 million).
Arsenal back in title race?
The bitter defeat against direct competitor Manchester City (1: 4) last Wednesday is certainly still in the bones of Arsenal. On Tuesday evening, however, the Gunners once again managed to set an exclamation mark in the Premier League title race. Arsenal defeated Chelsea 3-1 in the city derby. „We’re Gunner fight to end‘, reads the front page of the Daily Express. With the play on words, the English daily draws attention to the fact that the Gunners “fight to the end” become.
For the time being, Arsenal are back at the top of the table. However, coach Mikel Arteta’s team is just two points clear of the Citizens, who in turn have two games fewer than Arsenal. Without a blunder from Guardiola’s squad, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus and Co.’s hands are tied. “Gunners retain title hope”writes the ‘Sun’ and also the ‘Daily Telegraph’ does not see Arsenal’s chances completely gone: “Gunners stay alive”. It is well known that hope dies last.
