New Delhi: Lionel Messi, after winning the FIFA World Cup 2022, is ready to return to his club Paris Saint-Germain FC (PSG). According to reports, he will return to PSG on January 3 after celebrating New Year in Argentina. This means that he will be next playing against Angers on January 11 in the Ligue 1.
? Lionel Messi will stay at PSG, confirms @GuillemBalague!
Paris offers him a contract until 2024 with an optional year for 2025. Agreement on almost everything, from higher than current salary to length of contract. Everything will accelerate when he returns from holiday. ??⏳ pic.twitter.com/nrQtvXQ1WH
— PSGnews (@NewsOfPSG) December 24, 2022
PSG has games lined up before Messi’s return and he is set to miss games against RC Lens and RC Strasbourg. On the other hand, FIFA World Cup finalist and Golden Boot winner, Kylian Mbappe has arrived for the training session with PSG. He is expected to be available for the game against Strasbourg. Reportedly, Mbappe was offered a 10-day vacation, but he returned after four days from the World Cup finals.
Manager Christophe Galtier is likely to go with Hugo Ekitike in Messi’s absence, while he also has Pablo Sarabia and Carlos Soler as his options.
Lionel Messi has had a great year as he won the World Cup for Argentina and his club PSG also leading the Ligue 1 standings and is tied for the top spot in Group H of the UEFA Champions League. Messi scored seven goals in the Qatar World Cup, out of which two came in the thrilling finals against France. The 35-year-old has now scored 13 goals in 26 matches at the FIFA World Cup. He has scored seven goals in Ligue 1 and four in the Champions League this season.
PSG will play their next game against Strasbourg on December 29. The club has won 13 out of 15 games this season and has drawn two.