Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier confirmed Thursday that superstar Lionel Messi will leave the club following the season.
“I had the privilege of coaching the best player in the history of football,” Galtier said about Messi ahead of Saturday’s Ligue 1 campaign finale against Clermont Foot, per ESPN. “This will be his last match at the Parc des Princes (PSG’s home stadium), and I hope that he will receive the warmest of welcomes…It’s been a great privilege to accompany him throughout the season.”
It was widely reported since at least early May that Messi and Paris Saint-Germain would part ways once his contract expires after the season. However, the fact he recently modeled the kit the club will wear during the 2023-24 campaign caused some to believe he could extend his stay in Paris for one more year leading up to the 2024 Copa America.
Messi originally joined Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent in the summer of 2021 and helped the club win back-to-back Ligue 1 titles. While he tallied 32 goals and 35 assists in 74 games, he also failed to guide the French giants to what remains an elusive UEFA Champions League crown.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has repeatedly been linked with a move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, rivals of the Al-Nassr side that employs Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi already serves as a Saudi tourism ambassador and reportedly could earn roughly $400M annually playing in the Saudi Pro League, but Major League Soccer club Inter Miami has also chased his signature for years.
Recently, Spanish football writer Guillem Balague and ESPN’s Gab Marcotti dumped cold water over the idea that Inter Miami could sign Messi just to loan him to Barcelona next season.
