Messi signs a two-year Contract for Paris St Germain after leaving Barcelona
The 34-year-old's deal also has the option of a third year. Messi left Barca the only club he has played for as they were unable to afford a new deal under La Liga's financial fair play rules." I am impatient to start a new chapter of my career in Paris. The club and its vision are in perfect harmony with my ambitions," said the Argentina star.
"I know how talented the players and staff are here. I am determined to build, alongside them, something great for the club and the fans. I can't wait to set foot on the Parc des Princes pitch."PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi said: "I am delighted that Lionel Messi has chosen to join Paris St-Germain, and we are proud to welcome him to Paris with his family.
"He did not hide his desire to continue to evolve at the highest level and to win trophies. The ambition of the club is, of course, identical."The addition of Leo to our world-class team confirms the relevance and success of our recruitment. Together with our great coach and his staff, I look forward to seeing our team make history for all of our supporters around the world."
Considered one of the greatest players, Messi scored a record 672 goals in 778 games for Barca, the club he joined as a 13-year-old. The striker has won the Ballon d'Or a record six times and lifted 35 trophies with the Catalan club. He becomes PSG's fourth free-transfer signing this summer after Netherlands midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, Spain defender Sergio Ramos and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Highly rated Morocco right-back Achraf Hakimi also joined from Inter Milan. Messi, who will wear the number 30 shirt, will play in a front three alongside the two most expensive players of all time - Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. A PSG news conference will take place in the auditorium of the Parc des Princes on Wednesday at 10:00 BST.
Messi could make his PSG debut at home to Strasbourg on Saturday. Keeping Messi at the Nou Camp had been president Joan Laporta's top priority this summer. Still, the club's financial problems severely complicated attempts to agree on a new contract were severely complicated by the club's financial problems. He officially became a free agent when his previous deal expired on 1 July, but it was still widely anticipated he would stay.
However, Barcelona confirmed last week that Messi would be leaving the club because of "financial and structural obstacles".On Sunday, he broke down in tears at a news conference in which he admitted he did not want to leave Barcelona but had no choice. Messi had agreed a new deal - on 50% of his old wages - to stay at Barcelona, but the club could not afford to implement it because they were so far above the wage limit allowed by La Liga.
"He used to earn 140m euros gross a year at Barca, that's around £125m," columnist Guillem Balague "Take off about 40-50% for tax.
"He agreed to stay at Barcelona by reducing his wages by 50%, not more than that because that's illegal [under Spanish law]. Basically, the league wouldn't believe he was reducing his wages to zero, which Barcelona may have tried to do as they are 1bn euros in debt. Basically, they cannot afford him."
The news sparked a scramble for his services, with Manchester City and Chelsea among those to be linked. Still, PSG has won the race to secure the Argentine superstar's signature, seen as one of the most noteworthy captures in football's history.
He will now form a formidable-looking strike force alongside his former Barca team-mate Neymar, France World Cup winner Mbappe and another Argentine, Mauro Icardi. Messi also joins international teammates Angel di Maria and Leandro Paredes in the French capital. Just three weeks after the trio helped Argentina win the Copa America for the first time in 28 years.
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