On Tuesday, Lionel Messi put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain and the deal could be extended by a further by one year.
Gatekeepers News reports that the six-time Ballon d’Or winner agreed a deal worth over £1 million a week with the Ligue 1 club on Tuesday.
The two-year contract Messi approved with PSG is worth £53.8 million per season before tax deductions are made, with an option to stay on for the 2023-24 campaign.
The 34-year-old Argentina forward has taken the No 30 shirt of the French Club and will also receive a sizeable signing-on bonus for joining as a free agent after La Liga’s financial “obstacles” prevented him from signing a new deal with Barcelona.
Spanish newspaper El Mundo earlier this year, leaked that his contract at the Nou Camp worth €555 million (£470million) over four years has been a feature of Barca’s financial meltdown. However, his basic salary will now be eclipsed by his gross PSG wages.
With his new signing, Messi will also keep his position as the world’s highest-paid player, earning more than his closest rival – Juventus’s Cristiano Ronaldo per week. Forbes while considering sponsorship, image rights, and endorsements, calculates him to earn more than any player.
Messi, Neymar Reunite
Before the deal was officially announced, Gatekeepers News reported PSG forward Neymar used his social media accounts to hint the reunite with his team-mate from Barca.
With Neymar Jr, Kylian Mbappe, and Messi, PSG are expected to not only win back the Ligue 1 title but nailed-on favourites to be the 2021/22 UEFA Champions and any other tournament they appear in.
Financial Fair Play rules
According to the transfer market website, the three players are worth a combined $410 million and in the last two seasons have scored a combined 75 league goals.
The worth of the players has, however, raised suspicion among various sections of European football, of how the Ligue 1 club have been put together such a team without breaking Financial Fair Play rules.
Although PSG are confident that no such rules have been breached, Europe’s top clubs are expecting an explanation about it from UEFA.
Prospects
After crossing all ts and dots, Leo Messi who will be wearing No. 30 Jersey said: “I am excited to begin a new chapter of my career at Paris Saint-Germain. Everything about the club matches my football ambitions. I know how talented the squad and the coaching staff are here. I am determined to help build something special for the club and the fans, and I am looking forward to stepping out onto the pitch at the Parc des Princes.”
The Chairman and CEO of Paris Saint-Germain, Nasser Al-Khelaifi also reacted to Messi’s arrival: “I am delighted that Lionel Messi has chosen to join Paris Saint-Germain and we are proud to welcome him and his family to Paris. He has made no secret of his desire to continue competing at the very highest level and winning trophies, and naturally, our ambition as a club is to do the same. The addition of Leo to our world-class squad continues a very strategic and successful transfer window for the club. Led by our outstanding coach and his staff, I look forward to the team making history together for our fans all around the world.”
Al-Khelaifi added, “Leo’s arrival within a world-class team confirms the relevance and success of our recruitment policy.”
