Lionel Messi will play at least one more season in France.
Fresh off winning the World Cup with Argentina, the 35-year-old is expected to sign a contract extension that will keep him at Paris Saint-Germain until June 2024, Julien Laurens of ESPN reports.
Negotiations have yet to begin, but it’s understood that Messi, whose current deal is set to expire next summer, has informally agreed to extend his stay.
PSG officials held positive talks with Messi’s father, Jorge, before the World Cup to gauge the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s interest in staying, according to Laurens. PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi and sporting director Luis Campos reportedly plan to meet with the star in January when his break after winning the World Cup ends.
Messi has previously been linked with a move back to Barcelona after his PSG contract runs out. However, he hasn’t been in touch with Barcelona president Joan Laporta since leaving in 2021, per Lauren.
A deal to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami has previously been reported, but it appears that no such move is currently being discussed.
Messi scored 12 goals for PSG in 19 appearances in all competitions before the World Cup.