Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier might have let the cat out of the bag during his press conference. The French tactician noted that the match against Clermont Foot would be the last for Lionel Messi at PSG.
The capital club did try to backpedal, issuing a statement that Galtier had misspoken and noting that it was Messi’s last game at the Parc des Princes this 2022-23 season. Nonetheless, Le Parisien is revealing that Galtier is indeed correct.
“In reality, this denial does not change the plans of the Parisian club, which wishes to start again on a new project and new bases next season without Lionel Messi in its workforce,” Le Parisien wrote (h/t Paris Fans).
“In the entourage of the capital club, it is made clear that Christophe Galtier’s press conference was neither the place nor the right time to officially record the end of the story between the two parties. The fate of the 35-year-old Argentinian is sealed and his 75th match with PSG, Saturday night against Clermont, will indeed be his last.”
Messi’s contract expires on June 30 and will become a free agent. After that, the veteran goal scorer must decide where to play the 2023-24 season, which could be outside of Europe.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner has two offers outside the old continent, one from Al-Hilal, which reportedly has an expiration date. The other is from MLS side Inter Miami, who could bring in a manager familiar with Messi to help him adjust to the league.
