Messi expands Saint-Germain Stadium to 55,000 seats
Paris Saint-Germain has expressed its desire to expand its historic stadium, Parc des Princes, after signing Argentine Lionel Messi.
The club's president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, told "Europe 1" today, Thursday: "This stadium must be expanded, I love Parc des Princes, but it is important to expand the stadium for our fans and for the future of the club."
The city of Paris supports plans for the stadium, which was last renovated in 1972.
"Given the attractiveness of the fame of Paris Saint-Germain, the fans deserve more places in an attractive stadium," said Emmanuel Gergoire, deputy mayor of Paris in this regard.
It is expected that the stadium will be expanded from 48,500 spectators to between 55 thousand and 60 thousand, and it cannot be expanded further.
However, the Parc de France stadium in Saint-Denis can hold 81,000 spectators.
Messi's arrival in Paris, on a free transfer from Barcelona, increased the club's global reach and Gregoire described this as "amazing news, not only for Paris and French football, but for sport in general".
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