With Lionel Messi's contract at Paris Saint-Germain set to expire at the end of the season, here is the latest on the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner's future.
Official: PSG Confirm Messi CR7 Meeting
The 35-year-old is said to be preparing to stay at the French giants beyond the 2022/23 campaign, with it rumoured that he will agree to remain in Paris for a further 12 months, taking his stay at the club until 2024.
According to Marca, the Ligue 1 champions are aiming to have Messi's name associated with their club as opposed to Barcelona's and believe a third season would help them achieve that.
PSG are reportedly insistent on preventing the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner from returning to his boyhood side Barca, whom he left as a free agent in August 2021 before joining the French giants.
The Spanish publication claims PSG believe Messi will eventually hang up his boots outside of Europe, and are even willing to facilitate a switch away from the continent for the Argentina captain when the time comes.
PSG feel it could be important from a marketing perspective to help aid Messi's exit process, a move they believe will strengthen their own image.
Following his shock departure from the Blaugrana in 2021, the Argentine battled to hit the ground running as he scored just six goals in his debut season in Ligue 1, a tally he has already beaten halfway through the current campaign.
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Messi has contributed to an impressive 26 strikes in 19 appearances in all competitions for Les Parisiens since August last year, form he carried into the World Cup in Qatar on his way to helping inspire his nation to triumph in the Middle East.
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