Lionel Messi to sign New Barcelona Contract before leaving France
Former Barcelona striker Lionel Messi told Paris Saint-German (PSG) that he was signing a new Barcelona contract before his transfer to France. Leandro Paredes has disclosed that Lionel Messi was sure of remaining at Barcelona before his move to PSG
Messi : Back to Barca ?The Argentina international walked out of Barcelona in August 2022 when his contract expired, and a remarkable 17-year spell at the Nou Camp came to an end. Interestingly, he wanted to stick to the Blaugrana but wasn't allowed to stay back because his contract couldn't get renewed.
The Catalan club were incapable of extending his deal due to financial woes. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner would join PSG on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract at the Parc des Princes. Besides Messi, other PSG players, including Paredes, were spotted in Ibiza before confirming his exit from Barcelona. So rumours surrounding the Argentine aiming for a big-money move to France circulated. However, Paredes confirms that Messi had always intended to stay in Barcelona, the club he first walked into when he was 13 years old.
Paredes talks about Messi's trip to Ibiza.
According to Paredes, Messi went to Ibiza and was departing the next day to sign a deal with Barcelona. The mid-fielder asked Messi to come along, but the 34-year-old said he had already made arrangements and was travelling the next day to sign. However, he returned the night he had planned to sign the contract. It was difficult for Paredes to believe that his compatriot was joining PSG instead, and he further quipped that he wouldn't believe it until he saw Messi wearing the jersey. Unfortunately, Messi has failed to produce his best game after joining the Parisian club, with just four goals in 24 games in Ligue 1.
PSG supporters disappointed with Messi
The 34-year-old has failed to impress many PSG fans who had high expectations from the former Barcelona striker. Diehard fans of the club even booed him after the squad exited the Champions League after losing to Real Madrid in March in the round of 16 with an aggregate of 2-3. Messi's harsh treatment by the fans did not sit well with Paredes, who was willing to cut him some slack, considering it was Messi's first season in French football.
Paredes admitted to being in disbelief when his compatriot Messi was being whistled at and called the experience "crazy." The media and public frenzy have affected Paredes because he has seen Messi up close and is a better judge of the amount of effort he puts in for the club. So the way the truth plays out on the bigger platform is boring, as stated by Paredes.