Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed the signing of Lionel Messi on a free transfer, with the Argentine superstar agreeing a big-money two-year deal after leaving Barcelona.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has been a free agent since the start of July and had agreed fresh terms to remain at Camp Nou, though the Catalan club pulled the plug at the eleventh hour, citing La Liga’s salary limit as the issue.
Messi wasted no time in finding a new club and has now signed a two-year contract – with the option of a third – to play for the big-spending French giants.
The 34-year-old is set to earn around €40 million (£33m) per season after tax in addition to a hefty signing-on fee in what is one of the biggest contracts in European football.
PSG first made contact with Messi on Thursday once it became clear Barcelona would not be following through on their contract offer and he will now join a star-studded attack in the French capital.
Messi agreed terms on Tuesday morning, flying from Barcelona’s El Prat airport to Paris in the afternoon.
After touching down, he waved to the hordes of PSG fans waiting for him while wearing a “Paris” branded t-shirt.
After teasing his arrival on social media throughout the afternoon, PSG finally confirmed his arrival late on Tuesday night, with chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi saying: “The addition of Leo to our world class squad continues a very strategic and successful transfer window for the club.
“Led by our outstanding coach and his staff, I look forward to the team making history together for our fans all around the world.”
The Argentine – who will wear the number 30 – will be reunited with former Barca teammate Neymar as well as countryman Angel Di Maria, while Kylian Mbappe rounds off an attack that has already been installed as the bookie’s favourite to win the Champions League this season.
PSG have had an astonishing transfer window, also signing Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos and Georginio Wijnaldum on free transfers as well as luring Achraf Hakimi from Inter.
Messi confirmed his departure from Barcelona at a tearful farewell press conference from Camp Nou on Sunday, with the forward – who had been at the club for 21 years – given a standing ovation from the players, family members, coaches, club legends and board members in attendance.
Asked about the prospect of having to play against Barcelona in the Champions League, Messi said: “Well the people in Barca know me, they know I’m a good player, they know I like competing. I’ll fight to win everything.
“The last years of my career, I’m going to finish it in my way, competing, fighting for titles, end my career on a high. That’s my mentality, and that’s what it always was in this club.
“I want to win. There’s no doubt that I will go to a team that will possibly compete with this club. I didn’t want to leave, I wanted to stay, but I have to and now I need to continue down my path of competing and winning.”
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