Paris Saint-Germain chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi has, on Friday, spoken out over the future of Lionel Messi.
The subject of Messi’s plans beyond next summer, of course, has taken its place front and centre in the headlines once more over the last couple of weeks.
This comes amid shock suggestions that the Argentine icon could opt to take his talents to the United States of America, to see out the remainder of his playing days in MLS.
Some outlets have even gone as far as to claim that Messi has already verbally agreed to a deal to link up with David Beckham’s Inter Miami in the summer of 2023.
The 35-year-old is in line to become a free agent in a little over six months’ time, upon the terms of his PSG contract coming to a close.
Toulouse v Paris St-Germain – Stadium Municipal de Toulouse, Toulouse, France – August 31, 2022 Paris St-Germain’s Lionel Messi before the match. (Alamy Stock Photo)
Messi’s entourage, for their part, have since moved to firmly dispel such claims, assuring that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is yet to come to a decision on his future.
Significantly, though, the PSG president also went on to hint that, as far as he is aware, Messi is taking into serious consideration staying put with the club:
“I confirm a thousand times that Leo Messi is very happy with PSG. I think he wants to stay.”
“We will discuss after the World Cup,” Al-Khelaifi concluded.
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