Messi joins PSG after Barcelona exit (updated)
BY Idris Shehu
Lionel Messi has joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on a two-year contract — following his shock exit from Barcelona.
After much teasing, the French giant took to its social media pages to confirm the signing of the Argentina captain, 34, on Tuesday evening.
“Paris Saint-Germain is delighted to announce the signing of Leo Messi on a two-year contract with an option of a third year,” it wrote.
Messi’s contract with PSG includes an option to extend by a year and gives him a net salary of about €35 million with bonuses factored in.
Messi will also be presented as a Paris Saint-Germain player on Wednesday during a press conference that’s scheduled to hold at 11 am at the Parc de Prince.
The move comes a few days after Messi announced his departure from Barcelona after they could not afford a new deal under La Liga’s financial fair play rules.
Messi, who joined the club in 2000 at the age of 13, also had an emotional farewell with his former teammates and coaches in attendance.
“Honestly, when the elections happened [in March], I spoke with [club president Joan] Laporta, we had dinner, and after that, I was convinced I would be staying,” he had said.
“My contract was never the issue … What I know is that I did everything I could. The club says it could not happen because of La Liga. I can guarantee you that I did everything I could to stay. Last year I didn’t want to, and I said that, but this year it was different.”
Messi came through La Masia, FC Barcelona academy, before making his senior debut in 2003. He went on to score 672 goals in 778 appearances for the Spanish giants.
The Argentina football icon has won the Ballon d’Or six times, the Champions League four times, and La Liga ten times with Barcelona.
He recently won the Copa America with Argentina this summer on the international stage.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect PSG’s confirmation of Messi’s transfer
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