[골닷컴] Reporter Kang Dong-hun = ‘God of football’ Lionel Messi (35) became a ‘free body’. By officially announcing the break with Paris Saint-Germain (France), their two-year partnership ended. Now, much attention is focused on his next destination.
Messi bid farewell after starting full-time in the 2022-2023 season French Ligue 1 round 38 home match against Clermont Foot held at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France on the 4th (Korea time). He said, “I want to thank all the officials, members and supporters of Paris Saint-Germain,” and “I hope that the future will be full of only good things.”
Messi, who has been with Barcelona (Spain) since his youth, joined Paris Saint-Germain after parting ways after 21 years when his contract expired in the summer of 2021. At that time, his transfer made a mark in history by bringing huge in the football world.
Messi sprung into action immediately. Specifically, he scored 32 goals and 35 assists in 74 games (72 starts) in all competitions, holding the central axis of the ‘MNM line’ leading to Neymar (31) and Kylian Mbafe (25). During this time, he won two Ligue 1 titles and one Trope des Champions.
Messi decided to end his partnership after two years as the contract renewal talks completely broke down while the contract expires on the 30th. He was asked to take a pay cut, and after receiving boos and criticism from fans, he is said to have completely left his mind. It is also known that the reason why he decided to break up was that the controversy continued as the rumors of discord in the locker room broke out.
Now Messi, who has become a free agent (FA), must decide where to go next. He considers returning to Barcelona as his ‘first priority’. However, it is currently in a difficult position as it comes up against realistic walls such as financial fair play (FFP) regulations. It is said that they have not yet received an official offer.
The second destination is Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia), which offered an annual salary of 400 million euros (about 575 billion won). Some have already predicted that the transfer is certain as his father and his agent Jorge Messi (65, Argentina) have accepted the offer of a contract. And finally, Inter Miami (USA), owned by David Beckham (47, England), is also a candidate.
Messi is the best player in the history of football, truly ‘GAT (The Greatest Ever)’. He has experienced all the championships a player can lift, including one FIFA World Cup championship and four UEFA Champions League (UCL) championships, and has also won the most individual championships (43 times ). In addition, he has the most Ballon d’Or winners (seven times) and the highest scorer (496 goals) in the five major European leagues (England, Spain, Italy, Germany, and France).
