Transfer Centre

Lionel Messi 'in contract talks with Paris Saint-Germain'

By Ben Sully | 16 February 2023

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly in discussions over a new contract with Lionel Messi, whose current deal expires at the end of the season.

Lionel Messi is reportedly in negotiations over a new Paris Saint-Germain contract.

After leaving Barcelona in 2021, Messi signed a two-year deal with PSG, which is due to expire at the end of the current season.

Messi was unwilling to discuss his future before the 2022 World Cup, where he earned the Golden Ball award for his performances at the tournament.

The forward scored seven goals and provided three assists on his way to guiding Argentina to their third World Cup trophy.

A recent report claimed that Messi is considering leaving the French champions at the end of the season alongside his teammate Neymar.

Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022 © Reuters

Barcelona are believed to be keen to reunite with their former player, while there has also been interest from the MLS franchise Inter Miami and Saudi Arabian clubs Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal.

PSG, however, are determined to keep hold of Messi and the club's director Luis Campos recently revealed that talks over a new deal are currently underway.

Journalist Guillem Balague has confirmed that discussions are ongoing and that the first face-to-face meeting between Campos and Messi's agent and father Jorge Messi took place in Paris on Wednesday.

There is a belief that Messi wants to continue to play football in Europe, and PSG are the only club that have put a viable offer on the table.

The report states that the two parties are yet to reach an agreement over details such as the length of the deal and wages.

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after the match on November 30, 2022 © Reuters

However, there is a commitment from both sides to find a solution, with negotiations expected to continue over the next few weeks.

Messi returned from injury to start Tuesday's Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich, but he was unable to prevent his side from falling to a 1-0 first-leg defeat.

PSG have now lost three consecutive matches in all competitions, and Messi will be hoping to help the Parisians return to winning ways when they face Lille in Ligue 1 on Sunday.

The Argentine has scored 15 goals and registered 14 assists in 26 competitive appearances for PSG this season.