Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge, has taken to social media to call out a series of fake stories about his son and his situation at Paris Saint-Germain. Messi’s future has dominated headlines across Europe, as the forward is out of contract at PSG at the end of the season and has yet to sign a new contract. This has fueled speculation about Messi’s current situation, as well as a slew of reports that his father has flatly denied.
Jorge Messi took to Instagram to deny reports that his son left PSG training early on Friday after a disagreement with coach Christophe Galtier, as well as speculation about his future in Paris. He also slammed reports claiming that his son is ready to seal a blockbuster move to Saudi outfit Al-Hilal, if paid a stunning salary of €600m.
Lionel Messi’s father defends him against fake stories
Several rumours have circulated about Lionel Messi’s current situation in Paris, with the World Cup winner yet to pen a contract extension at the club. According to one of those rumours, the player left Tuesday’s practise early due to disagreements with coach Christopher Galtier. Another source stated that PSG is unwilling to accept Messi’s terms for a new PSG contract, which were said to be similar to Kylian Mbappe’s record-breaking contract signed in the summer of 2022.
Finally, the last one claimed that the Argentina captain had demanded €600 million in annual salary to join Al-Hilal, who are interested in signing the player in June. Jorge Messi, Leo’s father and agent, has taken to Instagram to deny all of these reports, saying:
“How long are they going to lie??? Where are the tests??? Ahhh what is it all fake… OK!!!. For many what to put I don’t know believe nothing… WE ARE NOT GOING TO TOLERATE MORE INVENTIONS TO GAIN FOLLOWERS.”
According to the lates reports, Lionel Messi was apparently forced to leave training early this week due to discomfort in his adductor, and not due to a spat with PSG manager Christophe Galtier. On Friday, rumours circulated that the 35-year-old was dissatisfied with Galtier’s coaching and walked out before the session at PSG’s training facility, the Camp des Loges, was completed.
It is still unknown where Messi will play football next season. Galtier has insisted that the forward is happy in Paris, while Al-Hilal are reportedly planning to offer Lionel Messi a huge contract to move to the Middle East. Reliable journalist Guillem Balague has ruled out Messi returning to Newell’s Old Boys, saying the Argentina international ‘wants to continue in elite football’.
PSG have been eliminated in the round of 16 from the UEFA Champions League since Lionel Messi joined them in the summer of 2021. The Parisians were one of ten clubs fined for violating FFP rules for the 2020/21 season, despite the fact that Messi had yet to sign his £645,000-a-week contract after leaving his beloved Barcelona. PSG was forced to pay a €10 million fine, with a further €45 million suspended pending future accounts.
All of this means that convincing Lionel Messi to sign new terms at the Parc des Princes will be difficult for the club. A return to Barcelona has been discussed, with club president Joan Laporta recently meeting with his father, Jorge, who flew to Saudi Arabia this week amid reports that he is plotting a big-money move for his son to play in the same league as his arch rival Cristiano Ronaldo.