Source: Messi talks with PSG
Star’s legal team in Paris; net pay may be $29.5M
Paris Saint-Germain and Lionel Messi reportedly are in negotiations on a contract after financially troubled Barcelona was unable to keep the superstar.
Messi’s legal team is in Paris and negotiations have seen an annual net salary of around $29.5 million discussed, which would be lower than his Barcelona pay.
Barcelona announced Messi will give a news conference at the Camp Nou at 6 a.m. Sunday without specifying the purpose, but it was anticipated to be his farewell. Barcelona’s coach and several players did not wait to say their goodbyes to the star.
Barcelona bid farewell to Messi in statements and social media posts Thursday, making him the most desired free agent in soccer history after his contract expired. The Catalan club wanted to keep Messi, who agreed to a pay cut, but it still wouldn’t have complied with the Spanish league’s financial regulations.
PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino was in contact with his fellow Argentine as Barcelona announced on Thursday that Messi would be leaving the club he joined as a 13-year-old before winning every major trophy and world player of the year titles.
Funded for a decade by Qatari sovereign wealth, PSG is one of the few clubs in the world that can finance a deal. The club is exploring sponsorship deals in South America on the back of being able to sign Messi.
There was no immediate response from Messi’s media team. PSG didn’t respond to an email with questions seeking comment.
Messi led Barcelona to 35 titles, including four Champions League crowns, while also earning a record six Ballon d’Or awards. But club president Joan Laporta deemed retaining the best player in club history as too risky to its beleaguered finances.
Coach Ronald Koeman said Saturday “it is still difficult to grasp that you will never play again for Barcelona.”