Mueez Ajao
– Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Luis Campos has confirmed the club is in talks to renew Lionel Messi’s contract.
– The 35-year-old’s contract with the French champions expires this summer and he could become a free agent.
– “At the moment we are negotiating with Messi his renewal,” Campos told Telefoot on Sunday.
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– Earlier this month, sources reported that PSG planned to step up negotiations with the Argentina captain over a new deal.
– However, since winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with Argentina, reports claim that contract talks have been more complex.
– “I’d love to keep him in the project, I can’t hide it,” Campos said. “We are negotiating to achieve that goal and for him to continue with us.”
– Messi joined PSG in the summer of 2021 after Barcelona did not renew his contract due to financial problems.
– The Argentina captain struggled in his first year at PSG but has been impressive this season, scoring 15 goals and setting up 14 more in 24 appearances across all competitions.
– He scored the winner in Saturday’s 2-1 league triumph over Toulouse.
– With Kylian Mbappe out injured since a 3-1 win over Montpellier on Feb. 1, PSG are more reliant on Messi.
– Campos said: “I remember that I told Messi during half-time of the game against Montpellier: ‘You have to drag everyone with you’ and he [Messi] responded: ‘no worries’ and he had an exceptional second half.”
– There has been speculation that Messi would return to former club Barcelona or consider a move to North America to play in Major League Soccer.
– A seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, Messi won his first World Cup after helping Argentina beat France on penalties in the final in Qatar.
– He was awarded the Golden Ball award as the best player of the tournament.
