Lionel Messi to Leave PSG at End of Season, per Report

The news comes one day after the French club reportedly suspended the Argentine star for an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia.

The Lionel Messi era at Paris Saint-Germain appears to be coming to an abrupt end. 

According to ESPN’s Julien Laurens, Messi and PSG have come to a mutual agreement to not extend the Argentine star’s contract beyond this season, making him available on a free transfer this summer. The 35-year-old signed a two-year deal with the French giants in 2021 with an option for a third year, which will not be activated. 

The news comes one day after PSG reportedly suspended Messi for two weeks following his unauthorized visit to Saudi Arabia, where he is a sponsored cultural ambassador. According to reports, PSG manager Christophe Galtier and sporting director Luís Campos signed off on Messi’s trip as long as PSG won over the weekend, which would have given the team a day off from training Monday. 

Messi reportedly had agreed to another year in the French capital before heading to the World Cup in Qatar, where he captained Argentina’s incredible run to the title. But the BBC reports that Messi’s father, who also acts as his agent, informed Campos weeks ago that the forward would not be renewing his deal. 

In his first year with PSG, Messi won the Ligue 1 title, and he’s expected to do the same this season. However, his individual numbers have suffered with 31 goals in 71 matches, while posting his lowest single-season goal totals in consecutive seasons since 2007-08. 

According to ESPN, Messi currently has an offer from a Saudi Arabian club and also is fielding interest from Barcelona and MLS side Inter Miami.