Lionel Messi Keen to Remain in Europe As He Chases Ballon d’Or Glory

Lionel Messi Keen to Remain in Europe As He Chases Ballon d’Or Glory

Byron Pillay
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:28 PM
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  • Lionel Messi has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer next season
  • Paris Saint-Germain are keen to extend his contract at the club, but fans continue to boo the veteran
  • Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on Messi's future at the French capital

Where will Lionel Messi play his football next season?

The Paris Saint-Germain superstar will become a free agent at the end of the season and is yet to agree on a new deal with the French side.

Lionel Messi, Keen, Remain, Europe, Chases, Ballon d’Or, Glory, Sport, World, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, 2023, FIFA World Cup
Lionel Messi isn't sure where he will play football next season but wants to remain in Europe to stand a better chance of winning the Ballon d’Or. Image: Alexander Hassenstein.
Source: Getty Images

With Barcelona expressing interest in a reunion with their former star and clubs from Saudi Arabia and the USA also throwing their names into the hat, Messi is spoiled for choice.

As noted by Barca Universal, the Argentine is keen to remain in Europe next season as he chases another Ballon d’Or title. He has won the prestigious award a record seven times and is looking to extend that record this year.

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As noted by SportsKeeda, Messi is one of the favourites to win the award given his success in winning the World Cup with Argentina.

With a chance of winning the award still within his grasp, the veteran wants to stay in Europe to achieve that.

Which European sides want Messi?

Many criticised Cristiano Ronaldo when he left Europe to play in Saudi Arabia, and the same could happen to Messi if he follows suit.

That leaves PSG and Barcelona as the only two realistic options currently. No other European sides have been linked with the Argentinian captain.

With supporters of the French club booing the World Cup winner in recent games and Barcelona’s financial problems possibly preventing them from signing Messi again, there’s no clear indication of where he could be playing his football next season.

Romano provides update on Messi

Messi’s future at PSG remains uncertain with the Argentine’s current deal set to expire at the end of the season, Sports Brief also reported.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has been negotiating a new deal with the Parisians, but talks between both appear to have stalled.

Fabrizio Romano revealed Messi wants to understand how the PSG project will evolve in the summer before committing his future to the club.

Authors
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Byron Pillay
Byron Pillay is a sports writer and Head of the Department at Sports Brief (joined in 2022) with over 10 years of experience in community journalism and a degree in journalism from Caxton's Cadet School.
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