Arrived: Lionel Messi is in Paris. His wife already wrote a post from the plane and Neymar is happy: “Together again.” The contract with PSG should be signed on Wednesday.
Lionel Messi and his family left the estate in Castelldefels in a motorcade, while his wife posted a photo of a happy couple on the way to the city of love from the plane to Paris. The exciting and globally observed chapter Paris Saint-Germain for the six-time world footballer began on Tuesday with huge hype.
Hundreds of fans welcomed the superstar in front of Le Bourget Airport, while in front of the Parc des Princes the fans waited excitedly for their new darling. “New diamond in Paris”, was in a short video that PSG published in the afternoon, plus pictures of an airplane and a signature, as well as the Eiffel Tower and six balls. Just 48 hours after leaving FC Barcelona in tears, Messi’s arrival left football France in ecstasy while his giant image was removed from the legendary Camp Nou.
Neymar posts a heart
The 34-year-old Argentine reached an agreement with the bosses of Paris Saint-Germain early on Tuesday, as the media reported from his native Argentina, his still-adopted home Spain and his future adopted home France. There was initially no official confirmation from PSG or Messi himself. Spanish broadcasters, however, reported that Messi’s father and manager Jorge should have confirmed the deal at Barcelona’s El Prat airport. And even his former congenial attacking partner in Barça times left no doubt: “Together again”, posted the Brazilian Neymar on Instagram Story: “Neymar Jr. & Leo Messi”. In addition, a heart in red, one in blue.
Messi is said to be signing a two-year deal. This should include an option for another season together. Messi would then be 37 years old at the end of June 2024.
But no one thought of age on Tuesday. After landing, he was supposed to take the medical check-up at the American hospital and sign the contract. On Wednesday should be with the “Jahrundert-Legend” (“The team”), who had played at FC Barcelona for 21 years and won 35 titles there, a press conference will be held. A confirmation from the Paris Club was still pending.
Paris is in Messi fever
But it should only be a matter of hours before the Eiffel Tower will shine in Messi’s honor – as was the case with his kicker friend Neymar, who also moved from FC Barcelona to Paris four years ago. The whole city on the Seine seems to be in Messi fever, TV stations broadcast special programs. Hundreds of fans were already waiting in front of an airport near the capital on Sunday. It went on like this on Monday. “Le Bourget Airport, twelve kilometers from the center of Paris, became a kind of Woodstock”wrote the Argentine sports newspaper “Ole”.
There and also in front of the Parc des Princes, after the news that the football world has been expecting for the past two days, the PSG fans are likely to be heard “Meeessi, Meeessi, Meeessi”- Call waiting for the South American.
With a face mask on, he got out of his black van with darkened windows on Tuesday, camera teams are waiting to the left and right before Messi and his family disappeared into El Prat Airport. A short time later, his wife Antonella Roccuzzo posted a photo with him on Instagram Stories: a smiling Messi who is just putting on his seat belt. “With everyone on a new adventure the 5”, provided with four hearts. 5 should mean the Lionel Messi family, the couple have three sons, whom Messi has already promised to return to Barcelona.
Around 40 million euros a year plus bonuses
Messi’s father and the lawyers had been negotiating with PSG since Friday. The evening before it had become known that there would be no continuation of the Messi era at FC Barcelona. Many clubs then reported that PSG was an option, Messi then emphasized at his press conference in Barcelona on Sunday and dated “most difficult chapter” talked about his career.
He had to leave FC Barcelona, which he joined as a 13-year-old, even though both sides wanted to continue working together. The statutes of the financial fair play of the Spanish league did not allow it, however, the club is highly indebted with almost 490 million euros. Even giving up half of his lavish salary did not resolve the conflict. In Paris, Messi – as various media reported before the agreement – received 40 million euros net a year plus bonuses.
At PSG, Messi will play with the German national player Thilo Kehrer and ex-world champion Julian Draxler, among others. The team of the Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino is likely to be the best the football club world has to offer in terms of its name alone: In addition to the Brazilian Neymar, world champions Kylian Mbappé from France, the two Italian European champions Gianluigi Donnarumma and Marco Verratti as well as play there the former Real icon Sergio Ramos.
First club at the age of five – Lionel’s eventful history “Leo” Messi.
Oliver Kahn is skeptical
“As much as I appreciate all the players who play at Paris Saint-Germain”, said Bayern Munich CEO Oliver Kahn shortly before the agreement between Messi and PSG became known, according to the media, “it will have to be seen whether this is also a team, whether it is a team, whether everything will come together.”
Messi’s new teammates couldn’t wait any longer. “He’s the best in the world”, said European champion goalkeeper Donnarumma Sky Sport Italia also before the headlines about the breach of contract: “I’m excited and happy when I think about having him on the team.”
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
