After FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 won the championship, Messi became the recognized third-generation king of football in the world, and his trend became the focus of attention. Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021, and his contract with Paris will expire in the summer of 2023. With Barrichello eliminated by Bayern in the Champions League and stopped in the top 16 for the second year in a row, the renewal trend of Messi and Paris Saint-Germain has become more confusing.
In the summer of 2021, Paris Saint-Germain signed Messi with a sky-high annual salary of 35 million euros after tax. They hoped that the Argentines could lead the team to win the first Champions League in team history. Before Messi arrived, Paris had reached the Champions League finals and semi-finals. After welcoming Messi, Paris formed a super-luxury “MNM” combination, and they are determined to win the Champions League. But unfortunately, under Messi’s leadership, the team not only failed to win the championship, but acted as the “Sixteen Champions League Lang” for two consecutive years, and the Argentines failed to win in the top 16 of the Champions League for two consecutive years. Such a performance naturally cannot satisfy the club, fans and French media.
After Paris Saint-Germain lost to Bayern 0-2, a large number of Paris fans pointed their finger at Messi. They angrily flocked to the social platform of Argentine stars, opened a criticism mode for Messi, and even insulted Messi as the most water polo king in history, and Cristiano Ronaldo was the best in history. Some French media even gave Messi a post-match score of 3 points, indicating that Messi was once again invisible in key games, which was really disappointing.
With Barrichello out of the Champions League again, Messi’s position in the team will become even more embarrassing, and his prospects in Greater Paris will be even more uncertain. Messi once said that he would decide his future after the World Cup, and there are many possibilities for his future. For the 36-year-old Messi, who is still in excellent condition, there is no doubt that he has many choices. One option is to renew the contract with Paris Saint-Germain, but according to French football journalist Thibaud Leplat, Paris will not renew the contract with Messi, because after being eliminated from the Champions League, Paris fans will not accept him. Another option is to return to Barcelona. As we all know, Barcelona has always wanted to bring Messi back to Camp Nou, and this summer is a good opportunity. Barcelona is the place where the dream begins for Messi, who is the greatest figure in the history of Barcelona. Returning to Barcelona and retiring as a legend in the history of the team is undoubtedly a perfect script.
In addition, Messi has another option, which is to join the Saudi League. In December last year, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo joined the Saudi giant Riyadh Victory Team with a sky-high annual salary, which greatly enhanced the team’s popularity and influence. Encouraged by this, Riyadh’s victorious league rival, Riyadh Crescent Team, was rumored to want to sign Messi. It is reported that they are willing to offer Messi a sky-high annual salary of $300 million, which is undoubtedly a great temptation for Argentines.
Riyadh Crescent and Riyadh Victory are the main competitors of the Saudi League. If Messi really joins Riyadh Crescent, Messi’s wonderful drama against Cristiano Ronaldo will continue to be staged in the Saudi League, which will not only help Saudi Arabia to bid for the 2030 World Cup, but also be a great benefit for fans.