Paris: In a shocking move, during the summer transfer window of 2021 Lionel Messi left FC Barcelona and joined Paris Saint Germain. The move came more as a shock as it was confirmed widely that the Argentine superstar wanted to stay at Barcelona.
Leonardo Araújo, the sporting director of PSG confirmed the same as he said to the media,” I think his idea was to stay in Barcelona. Honestly, it was clear to him that his desire was not to leave and perhaps finish his career there.“
After winning Copa America, Messi was scheduled to renew his contract with the Catalan, where he arrived at the age of 13. He also agreed to take a significant pay cut to help the club, as the former Barcelona captain knew the financial struggles of the club.
Although, the deal fell apart at the last moment due to the Financial Fair Play of La Liga. Despite taking a significant pay cut, Messi was unable to stay at the club due to the club’s wage structure, which was in violation of FFP laws.
Messi had been linked to the Ligue 1 side previously also, mainly when Lionel wanted to leave Barcelona in 2020 following a fallout with the club.
The sporting director of PSG also admitted the same. He said, “I cannot hide that we had contacted him before. But always after the month of January, when he was six months from the end of his contract. We never contacted Messi before January 2021.”
When it was informed that Messi could not stay with Blaugranas, the French side was quick to act and acted on what they have always wanted, the Argentine superstar in their team. Leonardo added, “Then the story of Messi at Barcelona ended, and we arrived. The desire to come that he showed motivated us a lot to do so. To imagine a player like Messi with the PSG shirt is something huge and very beautiful.”
