Messi does not renew the contract with PSG – he wants a salary at the level of Mbappe. What’s next

Is it Barça?

Lionel Messi has not yet renewed his contract with PSG, expiring in the summer – if negotiations went smoothly in October, now no one knows where the Argentine will be next season.

Messi wants to get at Mbappe’s level

The parties cannot agree on a salary. Before World Cup 22, the Parisians considered the extension of the Argentine an easy issue, but after the tournament the situation became more complicated. Leo wants to earn around the level of Kylian Mbappe, who costs the club $128 million according to Forbes (including taxes and agency commissions). Messi is at 120m and PSG want to slash that amount due to the age of the superstar. 

So far, two options for continuing cooperation are being considered – activating the extension option from Leo’s current contract, or signing a new agreement for a period of one year. The second option suits the club, the player prefers the first.

Though negotiations have slowed down not only because of money. Insider Fabrizio Romano believes that Messi does not understand what the club will be like next season: who will be sold, whether Galtier will be left, whether they will try to shove Neymar. Plus, Leo has tough wishes for the term of the contract – because of this, the parties will have to hold several additional meetings.

Messi intends to stay in Europe but wants to know what’s in store for him next season. The second consecutive departure to the 1/8 finals of the Champions League unnerves him, the Argentinean is worried about the uncertainty of the club’s project and the constant hatred of the fans.

PSG are also not sure about the renewal of the 35-year-old player yet: the club believes that the possible departure of Messi will give room for maneuver in the transfer market. According to As, President Nasser Al-Khelaifi is not considering renewing Messi’s contract for more than a year and is banking on Mbappe.

Barça are a real contender. But La Liga will interfere

L’Équipe assures that now in Europe only PSG can meet Leo’s salary requirements. For the sake of playing in the top leagues, the Argentine will have to reduce requests. 

And in this case, one of the main contenders for Messi is Barça. The club’s economic troubles make things difficult, but Catalan insider Gerard Romero sees Leo’s move as a possibility. Journalist Joan Fortes adds: the Argentine is ready to return, but everything depends on the offer, although Antonella’s wife and children really want to live in Spain.

Barça are in touch with Leo. President Joan Laporta, in a phone call, apologized to Messi for the summer of 2021, when the player was ready for a 50% pay cut but was forced to leave due to the La Liga salary cap. Then the Argentinean was offended by the president because he gave false hopes and put forward new conditions.