China News Network, June 6 On the 4rd local time, Ligue 3 Paris Saint-Germain officially announced that after spending two seasons together, the adventure between Messi and Paris Saint-Germain will come to an end at the end of the 2022-23 season. This means that Messi will not complete a contract extension with the club and he will start the next leg of his journey.

The screenshot comes from the official social media of Paris Saint-Germain

In the 37th round of Ligue 1 last week, Paris Saint-Germain drew 1-<> away to Strasbourg thanks to a goal from Messi, thus winning the league title one round earlier.

During his two years at Paris Saint-Germain, Messi scored more than 30 goals and assists, helped the team win a French Super Cup and two Ligue <> titles, and became the top scorer in the history of Europe's top five leagues.

Paris Saint-Germain thanked Messi in the announcement and wished the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner more in the rest of his career.

Data map: Messi during the Barça period

Born in 1987, Messi became a member of the Barcelona Academy in 2000. He played 777 official games for Barcelona's first team, scoring 672 goals and helping the team win 35 trophies. During this period, Messi won the Ballon d'Or six times and broke a series of records, gradually growing into a football superstar.

In the summer of 2021, Messi failed to complete a contract extension with FC Barcelona. After joining Paris Saint-Germain, Messi formed a strong forward lineup with Neymar and Mbappe. However, in these two seasons, the team failed to complete the breakthrough in the most anticipated Champions League.

Data map: After Messi's signing with Paris Saint-Germain, many fans of Greater Paris came to buy Messi's No. 30 shirt, and even lined up in front of the store.

Previously, foreign media have repeatedly pointed out that Messi will not renew his contract with Paris Saint-Germain when his current contract is about to expire, and he is still looking forward to returning to Barcelona and is willing to take a significant salary cut for this. However, external analysts believe that due to the current poor financial situation of FC Barcelona, it is difficult for Messi to return. There are also reports that the club from Saudi Arabia is willing to offer Messi a sky-high salary, but returning to Barcelona is the latter's first choice.

With Paris Saint-Germain officially announcing the departure of Messi, more teams are bound to join the battle for Messi. "Where is Messi going" is inconclusive, but Chinese fans are expected to catch a glimpse of the superstar on their doorstep before the answer is announced. The Argentine national team is scheduled to play a friendly match with Australia in Beijing on June 6, and it is reported that Messi will lead the team to China to compete.

Data map: Messi kisses the Hercules Cup Photo by China News Agency reporter Cui Nan

This is the debut of the Argentine national team led by Messi overseas since winning the 2022 World Cup.

At the end of last year, Argentina defeated defending champions France 2022:7 (5:4 on penalties) in the final of the 2 World Cup in Qatar to win the World Cup for the first time in 36 years. This is the third time in Argentina's history that Lionel Messi has won the World Cup Ballon d'Or, the tournament's best player.

Image source: Lawrence Awards official social media

At the FIFA 2 Awards Ceremony held at the end of February this year, Messi undoubtedly received the Men's Player of the Year award (World Footballer of the Year).

Last month, at the 2023 Lawrence Awards ceremony, known as the "Oscars of sports", Messi won the Best Male Athlete of the Year award. Messi is the only winner of the Laureus Male Athlete of the Year from the collective event. This is the second time he has won this award since 2020. (End)