How Lionel Messi could finally play in the Premier League soon…
According to reports in the BBC, Argentinian star Lionel Messi has reached an ‘agreement in principle’ to remain at French club Paris-Saint-Germain beyond his contract expiry in June 2023. However, a move to the English Premier League would now surely crown his career.
Captaining Argentina to a World Cup victory over France in last month’s final will likely be the pinnacle of a glittering football journey for Lionel Messi. The 4-time UEFA Champions League winner with Barcelona has returned to defending Ligue 1 champions PSG with little left to prove to the footballing world.
Lionel Messi bagged the opener in last week’s 5-4 win for PSG over a Saudi All-Star XI in the Riyadh Season Cup. Lining up against Cristiano Ronaldo, for possibly the last time, Messi got a glimpse of the new world opening up for his Portuguese rival and his record breaking £175m contract over two and a half years.
Winning Ligue 1 or the Champions League in 2023 with PSG would allow Messi to tie Brazilian Dani Alves’ record total of 43 trophies across a career, with the question then of what next? This could leave the Premier League as the final piece of a coveted jigsaw and Newcastle United, backed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund and one of the richest clubs in the world, could be primed to make their move. We know he looks good in vertical stripes.
- For more information on Newcastle United’s financial takeover, click here.
Lionel Messi famously stated in 2010 that he would never play in the Premier League, but at the same time said that he would never leave Barcelona. It has often been said that the physical and demanding nature of the Premier League would not suit Messi’s game which draws on his ability to remain light on his feet, display fantastic balance and awareness and showcase his incredible technical ability. But having proved his desire to beat the best in the world with frequent dogged displays in Qatar that helped propel his team to victory, this may no longer be the case.
Newcastle look set to remain quiet during the January transfer window, with many suggesting they are biding their time for a summer spending spree. On the cusp of a first return to the Champions League in 20 years, and on the back of Ronaldo’s high profile move to Al Nassr, we may see a move for Messi by the Saudi backed club as the latest example of a sports washing campaign that knows no limits.