After securing his career dream of delivering Argentina to a World Cup 36 years after Diego Maradona led the Albiceleste to glory in Mexico,
Leo Messi has begun to turn his attention to the next challenge after scaling Everest from football has. The Argentines, meanwhile, fear that maintaining his status as one of the greatest players of all time, many claim, may have suffocated Messi's ongoing ambition. "Let's hope the French don't do to Leowhat the Italians did to Diego," is a common refrain.
Maradona, one of only two or three players alongside Messi in the perennial debate, did not last long in Serie A after the 1990 World Cup, where he scored the decisive penalty after a poor penalty in the semi-final shootout against hosts Italy. Moderate encounter: His last game for Napoli came in March 1991.
However, that does not appear to be Messi's destiny, despite his brilliant performance in the Qatar final to stifle's best effort. France and his teammate at PSG, Kylian. Mbappe.The Paris club, owned by Qatar Sports Investments, a subsidiary of the country's sovereign wealth fund, made Messi an offer to extend his contract beyond June 2023 when it expires.
EL PAÍS understand that there is an agreement in principle and that an official announcement will be made when Messi returns to Parque de los Príncipes after his holiday. The Argentina captain seems keen to stay in Paris and help the club achieve their owndream of winning the Champions League, a goal PSG have failed to achieve despite heavy investment.
The 35-year world title has given Messi renewed energy to continue competing at the highest level with the Copa America on the horizon. The 2024 edition of the continental tournament was set to be hosted by Ecuador, but the Andean nation chose to turn down the invitation.
Argentina has become one of the main candidates for intervention. Messi is unlikely, if not impossible, to show up at the 2026 World Cup and a swan song at home to defend the title won in 2021 has clear appeal.
After PSG saw two of their star players in the World Cup final, the show wants to go on and Messi seems ready to accept that. After a difficult adjustment period in Ligue 1, Messi and his family are now happy and settled in the French capital.
PSG made an offer for a one-year extension with an option for another year, potentially extending Messi's current deal until 2025.If there were any doubts about his performances - France Football didn't include Messi in the list of 30 players for the 2022 Ballon d'Or - Qatar have cleared them up.
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Messi wants to return home
Paris Saint Germain are ready to withdraw their offer to extend Lionel Messi's contract because his fans "won't accept it" after Wednesday's humiliating Champions League exit, it has been claimed.The Parisians lost 1-0 in the round of 16 first leg in Paris last month and 2-0 in the second game in Bayern last night.
The collapse resulted in a fifth elimination in the last seven years at the first hurdle of the knockout stage and while PSG previously reportedly put pressure on Messi to exercise the option of an extra season at Parc des Princes which was part of it Given the two-year contract he signed when he left FC Barcelona in 2021, the offer could be withdrawn.
This was noted by PSG biographer and French journalist for RMC Sport Thibaud Leplat, who has said on Spanish radio show DirectoMARCA that the Qatari giants will not renew Messi because the club's fans will not accept him after the last continental KO.
