PSG confirm Lionel Messi is leaving: What is next – Barcelona, Inter Miami, Al Hilal or Man City?

PSG on Saturday confirmed that Lionel Messi is leaving the club.

“Thanks to the club, the city of Paris and its residents for these two years and I wish them the best in the future,” the Argentine World Cup-winner thanked his fans.

“After two seasons with PSG, the adventure between Leo Messi and Paris Saint-Germain will come to an end at the end of the 2022-23 campaign. The Club wishes Leo, with undeniable emotion, many more accomplishments for the rest of his career,” the club said.

They acknowledged him as the greatest footballer of all time and thanked him for his role in winning the Trophée des Champions and two Ligue 1 titles. PSG chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi also praised Messi for his impact on the team and his influence on the younger players.

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What is next – Barcelona, Inter Miami, Al Hilal or Man City?

With Messi’s departure from PSG confirmed, attention now turns to his potential destinations. The most prominent option is a return to his beloved FC Barcelona, the club where he spent 21 years and established himself as an icon. Barcelona’s new manager, Xavi Hernandez, has publicly expressed his desire to have Messi back in the squad, stating that the doors are open for him.

However, financial complications and the club’s need to reduce their wage bill pose challenges to the potential reunion.

Another potential destination for Messi is Al Hilal, a Saudi Arabian club that is reportedly offering a staggering salary to lure the Argentine superstar. According to reports, the offer from Al Hilal would make Messi the highest-paid athlete in the world, surpassing his generational rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

The move to Saudi Arabia would be a significant coup for the country, which has aspirations of hosting the 2030 World Cup and strengthening its football league.

In addition to Barcelona and Al Hilal, there have been rumors linking Messi to Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer (MLS). The prospect of playing in the United States and being part of the growing soccer culture there could be enticing for Messi as he considers his next move.

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Manchester City, managed by Pep Guardiola, who coached Messi during their successful stint at Barcelona, has long been considered a potential destination for the Argentine. The club has the financial means and the ambition to secure a player of Messi’s caliber, and a reunion with Guardiola could be a compelling proposition.

As Messi evaluates his options, the football world eagerly awaits his decision. Wherever he goes, his impact will undoubtedly be felt, and his next chapter will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike.