The world champion striker “Paris Saint-Germain” in the national team of Argentina Lionel Messi went to Saudi Arabia. He wrote about it on social networks on April 30. “Who would have thought there was so much greenery in Saudi Arabia? In his message, the actor said, “I like to discover miracles for myself whenever I have the opportunity.”
Leo’s trip to the Middle East is right: he’s an ambassador for the Saudi Ministry of Tourism. Moreover, the country’s leadership plans to include him as an ambassador for the application to host the World Cup. Also, Messi should have gotten there sooner, but had to postpone his visit twice due to his busy schedule and PSG’s results in the French championship.
However, against the background of his sudden departure, rumors intensified about the possible transfer of the Argentine to one of the local clubs – Al-Hilal or Al-Ittihad.
But even that is not the problem. According to this L’EquipeMessi has decided to leave Paris, bypassing PSG head coach Christophe Galtier and football advisor Luis Campos.
It was announced that Galtier and Campos were ready to let Leo go if the Parisians beat Lorient in the 33rd round of Ligue 1, but PSG, who were fighting for the title, unexpectedly lost the championship by one point at home to the middle peasants. 1:3. Therefore, training was scheduled for the day after the match, which should have been a day off for PSG players. As a result, Messi did his own thing by getting permission from the club’s top management to fly to Saudi Arabia.
Of course, Galtier was not happy with this harmony. according to information RMC, Messi was punished for his action: he was suspended from work with the team for 15 days, and moreover, he would not be paid during this time. Against this background, the already contradictory relations between the Argentine and the club, of course, escalated. And some of his teammates make no secret of their displeasure at the club bosses allowing Leo so much.
According to Argentine journalist Martin Arevalo, it is noteworthy that PSG did not personally notify the player of the sanctions against him.
And it was only after this insider that Kampusch nevertheless contacted the player and spoke about the disciplinary proceedings against him.
In the background of the incident, the French media reported that the Parisians did not intend to renew the contract with the striker. His current contract expires in the summer of 2023. At the same time, the scandal related to his Saudi Arabia trip is just one of the reasons. Messi has been playing for PSG since 2021, and all this time there were rumors in the press about his possible departure due to a number of factors. The Argentine himself is uncomfortable in Paris, the situation inside the club is tense and contradictory – in these conditions it is unlikely that Leo will stay at PSG.
In connection with the current situation, the question remains where Leo will continue his career. And here it cannot be ruled out that he will return to Barcelona.
This is hindered by a number of nuances, including a lawsuit against the former management of the Catalan club suspected of financial fair play and corruption, and a multi-million dollar bribe to the former chairman of the Spanish refereeing committee.
However, it seems that Barca is ready to do anything to return Messi to the club, with which the main achievements in his career are inextricably linked. Insider Veronica Brunati reported that the club is trying to negotiate with the La Liga leadership and create a mechanism to process the player’s contract.
It is assumed that negotiations and the contract offer will become official after La Liga approves Barcelona’s proposed plan.
Leo is also aware of the conditions that can be offered to him, and the financial side of the issue is not a matter of principle for him, he is ready to take a salary cut. In response, Barça must sell a few players and clear the payroll to sign the former star.
Barcelona head coach Xavi has repeatedly commented on the possible return of his former teammate. According to him, it is too early to talk about it now, it is not clear whether it will happen. Xavi emphasized that the main task of the team is to win the current championship.
According to Dmitry Bulykin, the former striker of the Russian national team, the transfer of Messi to some clubs in Saudi Arabia cannot be ruled out, due to the fact that there are fewer bureaucratic obstacles to this. At the same time, Bulykin emphasized that the Argentine player cannot be said to have made a mistake when he decided to join PSG.
“Still, I don’t think it was a mistake. Still, he performed well and got a lot of money. So don’t call it a mistake. But where to take the next step is a big question for him now. So now it’s all coming out. I think everything should be resolved quietly, but it seems that something does not suit someone, so we learn about such situations from the press.
Is Messi’s return to Barcelona possible? It will be a mega-transition, interesting for everyone.
But we will find out in the near future whether it will happen – there are many nuances, many limits, let’s say. But there are no borders in Saudi Arabia,” Bulykin told socialbites.ca.