Report: Messi – PSG deal done, only official announcement missing

According to Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, an honorary member of the Qatari Arab Club and close to president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Paris Saint Germain have finalized the contractual details with Lionel Messi.

With the talks successfully completed, only an official announcement is pending, one which has been decided to be made on a later date.

On Thursday, Barcelona took the football world by storm when they announced that their talisman and club captain Lionel Messi would not continue at the club.

Though earlier believed to be a ploy to pressurize La Liga and Javier Tebas, the fog has cleared over the past 24 hours. With multiple teammates and legends pouring in tributes and farewell messages, the departure is indeed a final decision.

Paris Saint Germain have been interested in signing Lionel Messi for years. Nasser al-Khelaifi has not kept his admiration of Messi a secret. Unsurprisingly, the Parisians led the race to sign the Argentine as soon as he was available.

The French side did not face much opposition in the race to sign the six-time Ballon d’Or winner. Manchester City, though earlier interested, pulled out of the race and signed Jack Grealish from Aston Villa just hours before the big announcement.

As it stands, Lionel Messi to PSG seems a deal done and dusted. The forward will likely sign for two seasons, to begin with. However, the announcement might be delayed because it is the player’s wish as a tribute to a club that he has played for all his life.

Barcelona meanwhile will have to plan extensively ahead of the next season’s opener. Coping with the loss of their captain is by no means easy. However it is a decision taken, and one that must be justified.