OFFICIAL: Lionel Messi signs for PSG on a two-year deal until 2023

The biggest news at the moment! 6-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi has completed his medical, signed and now a Paris Saint-Germain player.

The sort of ceremony reserved for royalty and, to the adoring masses outside the Parc des Princes, every second of this was a coronation.

Lionel Messi only stepped onto the street for 60 seconds but that was enough time for the thousands of fans to anoint him the new king of Paris. He walked a few metres out of his blacked-out Mercedes van to wave to his new supporters, signalling the beginning of a new chapter for French football.

‘Messi est Paris!’ they chanted, Flares were lit as locals climbed upon bins, fences or whatever they could find for a better vantage point. The police had even told children to move away from the front to avoid the inevitable crush.

‘This is the biggest signing we’ve ever made,’ said one supporter, squeezed in to catch a glimpse. ‘Messi is the best in the world. With Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, we’re going to win the Champions League. Paris is going to be the centre of the football universe.’

Lionel Messi joins the French club from Barcelona (free transfer) on a two-year deal, with an option to stay for another year, and will take home a salary of 35 million euros per year, as well as a 25 million euro signing on fee, will wear the no.30 jersey at the Parc des Princes…in a tribute to the shirt in which he made his Barcelona debut.

It all started with Barcelona unable to keep hold of Leo for the 2021/22 season due to financial problems facing the spanish side, the management and Messi deciding its best for both to part ways….Manchester City were immediately seen as favorites to land Messi but couldn’t due to FFP rules, alongside already signing England player Jack Grealish from Aston Villa for a whooping transfer fee.

Thus leaving the door wide open for PSG, who capitalised on the opportunity with swift action, reuniting Leo with his former teammate and friend Neymar.

The Parisians had already signed Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi and Georginio Wijnaldum this summer, and the arrival of Messi now sees them boast arguably the strongest squad on the continent.

Addition of Messi to attack line of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe has potential to become the most lethal forward line in club football history.

Having already signed host of other big names this summer, has raised suspicion concerning FFP…some finding it hard to understand how it’s possible for the Ligue 1 club to put together such a team without breaking Financial Fair Play rules.
Europe’s top clubs are expecting an explanation about it from UEFA, although PSG are confident that no such rules have been breached.