PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday announced that Lionel Messi, the world’s best footballer, has signed a two-year contract with the French Lique1 club, with the option of an additional year.
Messi, 34, who left Barcelona after 21 years last week, will wear the number 30, the number he had when he began his professional career at Barca, and is set to be unveiled by the the Qatar-owned club at a press conference they have called for 0900 GMT (2:30 pm IST) Wednesday, AFP reports.
“I am excited to begin a new chapter of my career at Paris Saint-Germain,” he said in a statement on the club’s website.
Messi, who was given a hero’s welcome by the PSG fans when he arrived in the French capital on Tuesday, added: “Everything about the club matches my football ambitions. I know how talented the squad and the coaching staff are here.
“I am determined to help build something special for the club and the fans, and I am looking forward to stepping out onto the pitch at the Parc des Princes.”
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner, who last week left the club he has represented for the entirety of his 17-year professional career on a free transfer, will join a PSG attack already featuring Brazilian forward Neymar and French striker Kylian Mbappe.
“Back together,” Neymar, who played with Messi at Barcelona before moving to PSG in 2017, posted on Twitter.
“It will be difficult to see him in another shirt than that of Barca,” Messi’s old Barcelona team-mate Andres Iniesta, now playing in Japan, told AFP in an interview on Tuesday.
“As a player he just transcended everything. I’ve not seen a player like him – and I don’t think I ever will. You look at what he did and for so long…”
The newswire further reports that Messi could be unveiled to supporters on Saturday, when PSG host Strasbourg and a full house of nearly 48,000 will be allowed in for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic struck 18 months ago.
However he is unlikely to make his debut until later this month at the earliest.
PSG statement issued Tuesday in full:
Paris Saint-Germain is delighted to announce the signing of Leo Messi on a two-year contract with an option of a third year.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner is justifiably considered a legend of the game and a true inspiration for those of all ages inside and outside football.
The signing of Leo reinforces Paris Saint-Germain’s aspirations as well as providing the club’s loyal fans with not only an exceptionally talented squad, but also moments of incredible football in the coming years.
Leo Messi said: “I am excited to begin a new chapter of my career at Paris Saint-Germain. Everything about the club matches my football ambitions. I know how talented the squad and the coaching staff are here. I am determined to help build something special for the club and the fans, and I am looking forward to stepping out onto the pitch at the Parc des Princes.”
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, chairman and CEO of Paris Saint-Germain, said: “I am delighted that Lionel Messi has chosen to join Paris Saint-Germain and we are proud to welcome him and his family to Paris. He has made no secret of his desire to continue competing at the very highest level and winning trophies, and naturally our ambition as a club is to do the same. The addition of Leo to our world class squad continues a very strategic and successful transfer window for the club. Led by our outstanding coach and his staff, I look forward to the team making history together for our fans all around the world.”
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