Argentine World Cup winner Lionel Messi is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his current contract this summer.
The French club had earlier on reached an agreement in principle with the iconic footballer to extend his stay for another year but neither club nor player are now interested in signing the deal.
On Messi’s part, he is unconvinced the club can compete at the top in the continent due to financial issues, while the French champions want to shift their focus on developing young talent.
Recent developments, including an alleged suspension for traveling to Saudi Arabia without permission as well as negativw chants from the fans, indicate that the relationship has turned sour.
In 2021, he put pen to paper on a two-year deal in Paris with an option to renew for another year which will now not be activated.
It is understood his father Jorge Messi informed Paris St-Germain’s football advisor Luis Campos a few weeks ago.
Sources say the 35-year-old could follow in the steps of his 38-year-old Portuguese rival Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia in a £320m-a-year move to the Gulf state after confirming he is leaving Paris St-Germain.
The most interested club is Al-Hilal, who could be rivalled for Messi’s signature by Major League soccer side Inter Miami which is co-owned by former Manchester United and England superstar David Beckham.