Manager Christophe Galtier has confirmed that Lionel Messi will be making his last appearance for Paris St-Germain against Clermont on Saturday.
Messi, who arrived at PSG on a free transfer from Barcelona in July 2021, played a pivotal role in the team’s consecutive Ligue 1 title victories.
Glatier noted that: “I had the privilege of coaching the best player in the history of football,”
“This will be his last match at the Parc des Princes and I hope that he will receive the warmest of welcomes.”
Last month, PSG enhanced security measures at the residences of Messi, Neymar, Verratti, and Galtier due to fan protests. This action was taken following a defeat against Lorient and Messi’s subsequent two-week suspension for unauthorized travel to Saudi Arabia without PSG’s permission. Messi later expressed his apologies to his teammates for his actions.
After captaining Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup, Messi initially seemed inclined to continue his tenure at PSG upon returning from the tournament. The two parties even reached a preliminary agreement to extend his contract by a year before ultimately changing their minds.
During his two-year spell at PSG, Messi has contributed 32 goals and 35 assists in 74 matches for the club. PSG has faced elimination from the Champions League in the round of 16 stage in the past two seasons.
Messi however, is expected to decide his future in the near future. However, it is confirmed that he will not be returning to Barcelona, the club where he spent 21 years.
