According to the BBC, Paris SG have been in talks with Messi's father and agent Jorge for four months and reached an "agreement in principle" to extend by one year and option for another, a statement also shared by Le Parisien.

Earlier this week, Barcelona chairman Joan Laporta said he would love for 35-year-old Messi to return to the club where he spent 21 years.

- They have practically agreed on everything, says the BBC's expert Guilem Balague about Messi's and Paris SG's negotiation.

 - Barcelona have not contacted him or his father to offer anything.

So it's not that Messi doesn't want to return to Barcelona.

He has not been asked, says Balague.

Messi was named the World Cup's best player as Argentina won their third World Cup title after a dramatic penalty shootout against reigning champions France.

The World Cup dent a sensitive issue for Paris SG

Messi left Barcelona in 2021 when Barcelona could not match the salary floor that was regulated in La Liga's regulations.

Messi is now on holiday, among other things celebrated the World Cup gold big in Argentina, and the negotiations will pick up new momentum when he returns to Paris.

PSG have their next game already on December 28 at home against Strasbourg.

There have been reports that Messi wants to take home the World Cup trophy and show it off to the home fans, which has not been well received by the club as club-mate Kylian Mbappé was taunted by some Argentine players.

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Messi now bigger than the "egg" Photo: Facsimile Instagram