With his contract expiring this summer, Lionel Messi is set to take to the pitch for Paris Saint-Germain for the final time, as the league champions host Clermont on Saturday night for the last game of the season.
The Argentine’s three potential destinations appear to be Saudi Arabia, Inter Miami, or Barcelona. In any case, he will leave the French capital as a double Ligue 1 champion, even if PSG were unable to go all the way on the continental stage.
His second season in particular will have been impressive, with the Argentine finding the net 16 times and setting up another 16 in 31 Ligue 1 appearances – ending the campaign as the league’s best provider. After a middling first year after his arrival from Catalonia – in which he scored six times – the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has been back to his fleet-footed best this season.
In his pre-match press conference this afternoon, Christophe Galtier has reflected on his year managing the Argentine:
“I’ve had the privilege of managing the best player of all time. It’ll be his last match at the Parc des Princes, I hope he’ll be welcomed in the best possible way. He was an important part of the team this season, and was always available. I don’t find the remarks and criticism to be justified.”
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin
