Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) star forward, Lionel Messi, experienced a bittersweet send-off as he played his final game for the club in a 3-2 home defeat against Clermont, resulting in jeers from some PSG supporters. Despite the unfavorable response, Messi remained undeterred, displaying resilience in his last appearance for the French league champions.
The Parc des Princes stadium witnessed a notable moment as the announcer read out Messi’s name, triggering a chorus of boos from sections of PSG supporters. Nevertheless, a few minutes later, Messi emerged onto the field wearing a smile, accompanied by his three children whom he lovingly embraced and kissed on their foreheads before the team photo. In an interview with the club website, Messi expressed gratitude, saying, “I would like to thank the club, the city of Paris, and its people for these two years. I wish you all the best for the future.”
During his two-season tenure with PSG, the Argentine maestro clinched two French league titles, the French Champions Trophy, and delivered impressive performances with 32 goals and 35 assists across various competitions. Notably, Messi also set a new milestone by surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s scoring record for Europe’s top five leagues, achieving his 496th career league goal.
However, Messi’s decision not to extend his contract with PSG has fueled speculation about his future. Rumors have linked him to a potential move to a Saudi club, where he could potentially earn more than Ronaldo. While Inter Miami remains another viable option, it is unlikely to match the lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia, which promises hundreds of millions of dollars.
In the match against Clermont, PSG initially took a 2-0 lead courtesy of a header by departing defender Sergio Ramos in the 16th minute and a penalty converted by Kylian Mbappe in the 21st minute. However, Clermont managed to level the score before halftime with goals from Johan Gatien and Mehdi Zeffane. Ultimately, Grejohn Kyei secured the victory for Clermont with a converted cross in the 63rd minute.
Despite PSG’s early exit from the Champions League’s round of 16, there had been hopes that Messi would extend his stay in Paris after expressing his contentment with the club in March. However, the mood surrounding Messi’s future changed, and tensions with the club escalated following his suspension for an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia. Reports have emerged indicating that Messi received a formal offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal for the upcoming season.
Messi, whose illustrious career predominantly unfolded at Barcelona, achieved numerous accolades, including 10 La Liga titles, 7 Copa del Rey titles, 4 UEFA Champions League titles, and 3 Club World Cup titles. Additionally, he attained international success, leading Argentina to victory in the 2021 Copa America and securing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. On an individual level, Messi has won the prestigious Ballon d’Or seven times, three FIFA Men’s Player awards, and ten Player of the Year awards.
As Messi bids adieu to PSG, his next destination remains uncertain, fueling speculation and anticipation among football fans worldwide.
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