Lionel Messi has resumed training with Paris St-Germain after being suspended for taking an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia.
The Ligue 1 club announced on their official Twitter account on Monday that the 35-year-old Argentine player had returned to the team after being fined and suspended for visiting the Middle Eastern country without permission, as it was a promotional visit.
Messi, who is an ambassador for the Saudi Tourism Authority, was pictured in Riyadh the day after his side had suffered a surprise defeat to Lorient.
He later revealed in a video posted on his official Instagram account that he had to make the trip for contractual reasons, having previously cancelled it, and had assumed he had a day off.
Messi said: “I wanted to make this video due to everything that is happening.
“First of all, I want to say sorry to my team-mates and to the club. I honestly thought that we were going to be free after the game, as had been the case in previous weeks.
“I had organised this trip to Saudi Arabia, which had been cancelled previously and this time I couldn’t. I apologise again and I’m here for whatever the club decide. All the best.”
Paris Saint-Germain has denied rumours that it intends to sever ties with Lionel Messi at the conclusion of the 2022–2023 season.
When his two-year contract with the Ligue 1 winners expires at the end of the current campaign, Messi, who is now serving a two-week suspension from PSG, will become a free agent this summer.
After Messi took an unapproved trip to Saudi Arabia, the PSG leadership became upset, and the Ligue 1 winners punished the forward.
Barcelona, Inter Miami, Inter Milan and Al Hilal have all indicated an interest in signing Messi next season when his current PSG deal expires.
Messi’s apology changes nothing
Meanwhile, former Paris Saint-Germain player, Jerome Rothen, has described Lionel Messi’s apology to the Ligue 1 club as sad and revealed it changes nothing, Daily Post reports.
Rothen questioned Messi’s decision not to apologise to PSG supporters as he says the apology by the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner leaves a bitter taste.
Messi posted an apology video days after the 35-year-old received backlash from PSG supporters and the board and was suspended for two weeks following an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia.
How PSG’s pride was damaged
Earlier, Sports Brief reported Thierry Henry has suggested Lionel Messi’s decision to visit Saudi Arabia may have hurt the pride ofParis Saint-Germain’s owners, after the Parisians fined the Argentine.
Messi was suspended by PSG and fined two weeks’ wages after he took an unsanctioned trip to the Middle East without the approval of manager Christophe Galtier.
Henry has now revealed that Messi’s decision to visit Saudi Arabia, a country at loggerheads with Qatar, where PSG owners are from must have hurt the club’s ego.
Following its unsuccessful 2022–23 season, Paris Saint–Germain will likely have one of its toughest summers since being bought by Qatari Sports Investments in June 2011.
After a split with the Argentine superstar, PSG is reportedly planning to part company with seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi at the end of the current campaign. Kylian Mbappe may be the next player to leave Parc des Princes.
Former football agent Francois Gallardo reportedly told Sportskeeda that the French star is considering leaving the Ligue 1 winners at the end of the current campaign.
“Mbappé is looking forward to finishing the season to announce his departure from PSG to Real Madrid… the situation in the Parisian club is very delicate, the worst is yet to come, and he wants to leave now.”
Mbappe penned a three-year contract extension with PSG at the start of the season, but the France forward is said to be keen on quitting the club to join Real Madrid this summer.
Mbappe wanted at Manchester United
Meanwhile, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani will reportedly attempt to sign PSG star, Mbappe if he successfully completes a takeover of Manchester United, Sports Mole reports.
Sheikh Jassim is widely regarded as the favourite to buy the 20-time English League champions, with the Qatari banker seeking to acquire 100 percent ownership of the club.
He would almost certainly make significant transfer funds available if he were to complete a takeover from the Glazers,with Mbappe a top target for the club if he succeeds.
Mbappe slams PSG over image
Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Mbappe being displeased with PSG over ‘excessive use’ of his image, following the club’s new campaign to promote ticket sales for the 2023/24 season.
The 24-year-old Frenchman has revealed he was not asked for his input before the Ligue 1 champions released a video to advertise the sale of next season’s Ligue 1 tickets online.
Mbappe, who is the club’s top scorer this season with 31 goals and eight assists in 34 appearances, has since released a statement condemning PSG for overusing his apperance.
In the Copa del Rey final on Saturday night against Osasuna,Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo worked in sync to devastating effect to help Real Madrid break the tie.
For Los Blancos, the Brazilian duo has been outstanding all season. They scored the game’s opening goal in just 109 seconds.
Madrid took an early lead in the match, which was played at the neutral Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville, thanks to a brilliant play down the left flank by Vini Jr. Vini Jr danced along the byline past a few defenders before putting the ball on the plate for his compatriot, who made no mistake to prod home.
Rodrygo restored Madrid’s lead with 20 minutes left on the clock after Lucas Torro had drawn Osasuna parity shortly after the break.
Vini destroys Villarreal defenders
Vinicius Junior channelled his inner Ronaldinho to score a sublime goal to continue his purple patch of form this season, Sports Brief reported.
The Brazil international put in another assured performance from the left flank. However, his efforts proved futile as Real Madrid suffered a shock 3-2 defeat against Villarreal on Holy Saturday.
Despite the heartbreaking defeat, Vinicius left an indelible impression on the game with a goal akin to Ronaldinho’s stunning goal against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2005.
Rodrygo produces sublime skill
In a related publication, Sports Brief reported that Rodrygo Goes produced a sublime piece of skill to set up Karim Benzema’s second goal in Real Madrid’s game against Almeria.
The 22-year-old Brazil prodigy proceeded to use an amazing technique to utterly bamboozle his opponent on the byline.
Rodrygo then stood up and sent the ballback to Benzema, who scored from about eight yards out with no mistake.
The club’s supporters have recently made headlines due to their recent protests outside Neymar’s home.
The PSG supporters demanded that the Brazilian quit the team this summer, as reported by The Mirror, who turned up outside the Brazilian’s house.
Messi’s suspension for travelling to Saudi Arabia without the club’s consent has Messi’s PSG supporters fuming as well.
According to ESPN, Galtier has now denounced the supporters for their behaviour, calling it unacceptable for supporters to gather outside a player’s residence.
“Regarding the protests in front of a player’s home, we have to be careful with that. Private life must remain private,” he said.
“I can understand the anger, the disappointment of our fans. You may protest at the training ground or at the PSG office, or after a match at the Parc des Princes. But I cannot accept it at anyone’s house, whether it’s Neymar or anyone else,” he added.
Galtier also added that it was the club’s decision to suspend Messi and that he had nothing to do with it.
“I’m employed by the club, and that is my role. The decision was nothing to do with me. I was informed of the decision,” he explained.
Following the protests against two of their star players, PSG have reportedly ramped up security at their training ground and in front of Messi and Neymar’s homes, SportsKeeda reported.
Neymar responds to angry fans
Neymar has taken to social media to respond to angry Paris Saint-Germain supporters.
Fans protested outside the Brazilian’s house, asking him to leave the club alongside Lionel Messi this summer.
Neymar has been a part of the French club since 2017, when he joined for a world record fee, Sports Brief reported.
According to the French publication, Neymar liked a TNT Sports tweet that stated Messi and himself were happier together at Barcelona between 2013 and 2017.
Later, he reportedly liked an Instagram post criticising Mbappe from football analyst Ofuiclear.
“This PSG team is the worst in recent years. For what? Because they renewed their prince for an extraordinary amount,” the pundit said.
He added: “The same prince who caused the UCL elimination, who had an easy pass for Neymar but made a pass to the keeper against Bayern. He thinks he’s god now.”
The move came after PSG ultras bombarded Neymar’s home and that of his colleague Lionel Messi.
PSG fans gather outside Neymar;’s house , chanting he leaves the club
PSG was quick to condemn the behaviour of the fans, but Neymar sent out a cryptic message on Instagram, indicating that he would not get caught up in the storm.
However, L’Equipe has since claimed that Neymar also engaged in more dubious activities on social media by liking posts critical of Mbappe.
Neymar joined PSG in a world-record transfer fee of €222 million in 2017, making him the most expensive footballer in history at the time.
Despite his high price tag, the Brazilian has had a mixed spell at the club, with injuries, suspensions, and public spats with the management and fans. In his first season, he helped PSG win the domestic treble but was injured during the Champions League campaign.
In his third season, he helped PSG reach the Champions League final but lost to Bayern Munich. He also suffered another injury that ruled him out for most of the season.
Neymar’s fourth season at PSG was also marred by injuries, as he missed several games due to a foot problem.
However, he managed to contribute to the team’s success in the domestic cup competitions, winning the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue. His partnership with Mbappe and Messi also showed glimpses of potential, as the trio combined to score some memorable goals. However, they were unable to win the Ligue 1 title, finishing second to Lille.
The latest incident involving Neymar and PSG fans has added fuel to speculation about his future at the club. Despite signing a contract extension until 2025, rumours persist that he may leave for another team, possibly his former club Barcelona or their arch-rivals Real Madrid.
Some fans feel that Neymar has not lived up to his price tag and that his injury problems have held the team back.
Others argue that he is still one of the best players in the world and that PSG should do more to protect him from the abuse of the fans.
Regardless of the outcome, it is clear that Neymar’s stay at PSG has been eventful, to say the least. From his record-breaking transfer to his injury troubles, his on-field brilliance to his off-field controversies, he has certainly kept fans, pundits, and the media on their toes.
His latest social media activity will only add to the drama surrounding his career and raise questions about his relationship with his teammates.
Sports Brief earlier reported that Neymar and Mbappe have seemingly yet to put their differences aside. The duo was reported to have had issues to the extent that Mbappe wanted Neymar out of the club.
Mbappe talks about how Neymar helped him in his early days at the club
PSG to listen to Neymar offers
Manchester United’s hopes of landing Neymar have been boosted with Paris Saint-Germain willing to listen to offers for the Brazilian forward this summer, Sky Sports reports.
Potential new Manchester United owner Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani has identified the Brazilian forward as one of the key targets he hopes to bring to Old Trafford.
Manchester United will, however, have to battle with fellow English Premier League rivals Chelsea for the signature of the Brazilian who is facing turbulent times in Paris with the PSG supporters.
Fans protest outside Neymar’s house
Earlier, Sports Brief reported Paris Saint-Germain ultras have been filmed at Neymar Junior’s house, calling for the Brazilian to leave the club.
It has been a difficult week for the Parisians, who saw their Ligue 1 title hopes hit a snag after a home loss to Lorient on April 30.
The French giants also suspended superstar, Lionel Messi for two weeks following an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia.
The forward was suspended and fined two weeks’ wages by the club, a move that appears to have angered the Argentine superstar and caused rifts within PSG’s hierarchy.
According to a report by Sportskeeda, Messi is reportedly contemplating terminating his contract with PSG within the next ten days.
The player, who was also subjected to protests by the club’s fans, is keen on leaving the club before they are crowned Ligue 1 champions, and is said to be doing everything in his power to force his way out.
Soccer Football – Lionel Messi visits Saudi Arabia – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – May 1, 2023 Paris St Germain’s Lionel Messi during a visit to Saudi Arabia Saudi Ministry of Tourism/Handout via REUTERS
Messi’s current deal with PSG is set to expire at the end of the season. However, the 35-year-old appears determined to leave the club as soon as possible, and is reportedly exploring all possible avenues to make this happen.
It remains to be seen whether or not PSG will allow Messi to leave before the end of the season, or if they will try to keep hold of him for as long as possible.
The situation has been made all the more complicated by Messi’s recent suspension and subsequent fine by PSG.
It is unclear at this stage whether or not these issues can be resolved, or if they will lead to Messi’s departure from the club.
Messi’s potential departure from PSG is likely to send shockwaves through the world of football.
The Argentine superstar is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, and has won numerous awards and accolades throughout his career.
His decision to leaveBarcelona for PSG last summer was seen as a major coup for the French club, who were looking to build a team capable of challenging for the Champions League.
However, Messi’s time atPSG has been somewhat tumultuous. Despite his undoubted talent, the player has struggled to adapt to life in France, and has been the subject of criticism and scrutiny from fans and the media alike.
The recent suspension and subsequent fine have only served to compound these issues, and have led to rumours that Messi is no longer happy at PSG.
At this stage, it is unclear what the future holds for Messi and PSG. The player’s reported desire to leave the club is sure to have repercussions, both for PSG and for the wider football community.
Messi joined PSG amid fanfare in 2021 but the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has failed to replicate his best form for the Parisians which has caused fans to turn on him recently.
Mascherano warns angry PSG fans
Meanwhile, former Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano has warned Paris Saint-Germain supporters that they will regret criticising Lionel Messi, Goal reports.
Mascherano insists PSG were lucky and should be grateful they had the all-time great play for their team as Messi does not deserve the treatment he has gotten from the Parisian fans.
Disgruntled PSG fans had gathered in front of the club’s headquarters in protest as they called for Messi to leave the club after it was gathered the forward did not intend to extend his current contract.
It is also alleged that , Neymar Jnr, former Barcelona star and PSG stalwart is on the verge of leaving the club as the Parisian hierarchy is willing to let the player go if a good deal is presented to them.
Manchester United is currently leading the race for the Brazilian born striker.
He has been off the pitch for sometime due to an ankle injury he suffered last February, 2023.
However, it is reported that the Parisian fans are unhappy with the Neymar anymore hence gathered outside his house protesting that he leaves for his home country.
He later confirmed in a twitter post “they just left” with a crying emoji.
Barcelona prepares two-year deal for Messi
Earlier, Sports Brief reported Barcelona have intensified their push to re-sign Lionel Messi this summer as reports confirmed the Argentine could leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season.
Messi enjoyed great success with the Catalan club between 2005 and 2021, winning four UEFA Champions League trophies before leaving heartbreakingly following Barca’s failure to renew his contract.
Barcelona has been heavily linked with a move for Messi, and club president Joan Laporta is now set to offer Messi a two-year deal when he eventually leaves PSG this summer.
It is reported that PSG’s willingness to listen to offers for Neymar especially one’s from clubs like Man Utd as the club aims to reduce their wage bill, which has been inflated by the high salaries of their star players.
Additionally, Manchester United is not the only club interested in signing Neymar, as there have been rumors of a potential return to Barcelona or a move to Real Madrid.
However, if Sheikh Jassim’s takeover bid forManchester United is successful, it is expected that the club will have significant financial resources to make a competitive offer for Neymar’s signature.
Man Utd’s chances of signing Neymar have received a huge boost
And it has emerged that PSG are planning for life without both the Brazilian and Lionel Messi.
Messi has been suspended for two weeks after defying club chiefs’ wishes and flying for a promotional tour to Saudi Arabia.
That was seen as a blatant move to alienate the club and fans, after his initial love affair in Paris has degenerated to more of a marriage of convenience.
PSG bosses have been working on a future blueprint over the past few months, which it is envisaged will mean a wholesale change in policy.
One club source explained: “From now on, the plan for PSG is simple – young, French and team players.
“It’s obvious to anyone who that applies to and who it doesn’t.”
PSG’s previous masterplan was to use the attacking trident of Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe to conquer Europe and winthe Champions League for the first time.
But the Ligue 1 champions have fallen short with last 16 exits – at the hands of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich – for two straight seasons.
Messi, out of contract at the end of this campaign, will not be offered a new deal – although his hopes of a return to Barcelona depend on the catalan giants reaching a financial agreement with La Liga bosses.
And while PSG will not boot Neymar out of the door, it is understood that they will be willing to listen to serious offers if they come this summer.
That is the opportunity for United to pounce if they think Neymar is the jigsaw piece that can take them back into the title equation and a genuine Champions League run.
Neymar, who moved to Ligue 1 in a £198m deal from Barcelona in 2017, has two years left on his current PSG contract.
But it is understood the South American, on a staggering £490,000 per WEEK, would be keen on a move to the Prem.
Mbappe’s future has been clouded in uncertainty over the past 18 months, with Real Madrid desperate to land him.
But while his attitude to team-mates has seen heads being shaken at times, he is 24, the emblem of France and also a player who will give everything to win on the pitch.
A departure of the two South American stars would also leave Mbappe unchallenged as the “King of Paris” and the stand-out star in Ligue 1.
The model tagged the 31-year-old Paris Saint-Germain superstar in a post on social media(Instagram), where she announced the positive news to her 3.8 million followers.
The couple shared a series of snaps highlighting Biancardi’s visibly growing baby bump, and in one of the photos, Neymar holds his girlfriend’s belly with a smile.
The news was reported by Sports Brief and announced by Biancardi herself on social media.
Neymar and his girlfriend Bruna Biancardi have announced they are expecting their first child together. Photo:@brunabiancardi
Source: Instagram
The post included a series of pictures, including some highlighting Biancardi’s visibly growing baby bump. The post was coupled with a passionate message to the unborn child of how she has a beautiful family awaiting his/her coming into this world.
Neymar has been in a relationship with Biancardi for some time, and the news of their upcoming child has been well-received by his fans and followers on social media. This will be Neymar’s third child, as he is already a father to a son, Davi Lucca, whom he had with his former partner Carolina Dantas, and a daughter, whose mother’s identity is not publicly known.
Reports indicate that, Al-Hilal is allegedly set to make Lionel Messi an offer to join them for over half a billion pounds. A staggering amount to knock out of the waterRonaldo’s Al-Nassr’s deal.
Sky Sports reports that the Saudi company is allegedly willing to pay the PSG star £400 million for just one season.
According to the source, Argentina is in favour of Messi joining the team since it would increase the league’s marketability.
Messi and Ronaldo
The Saudi Pro League has already gained more interest since the new year after the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo on a free transfer.
Ronaldo signed a record deal to join Al Nassr following his exit from Manchester United.
However, Messi’s potential deal will blow that out of the water.
He has also been welcomed to the country by Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the tourism minister of Saudi Arabia.
After Messi’s trip, he tweeted: “I am happy to welcome Messi and his family to Saudi to enjoy the magical tourist destinations and authentic experiences.
“We welcome visitors from all around the world to experience a unique trip to Saudi Arabia and its hospitality.”
The Argentine is on course to leave PSG this summer once his contract at the Parc des Princes expires.
The club had previously been keen on extending his deal, but have changed their stance.
Messi is suspended from the club following an unapproved trip to Saudi Arabia after a Ligue 1 loss to Lorient on Sunday.
However, fans reacted to the ban as they arrived in their droves outside of the club’s head office.
The protest saw fans ignite flares while holding up banners calling on the club’s management to resign.
Messi has also been linked with a return to Barcelona as well as to MLS side Inter Miami.
The French giants are currently five points clear at the top of Ligue 1 with five games remaining.
But Barcelona’s dream of having their all time goal scoring machine back seems gloomy as it is reported that they have failed to convince La Liga over their ability to meet the forwards financial demands.
Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Paris Saint-Germain and the Argentina national team.
Messi is widely considered as one of the greatest footballers of all time, having won numerous awards including seven Ballon d’Or titles.
He started his career in his native Argentina with Newell’s Old Boys before moving to Barcelona at the age of 13.
At Barcelona, he became one of the most successful players in the club’s history, winning numerous domestic and international titles.
Messi has also had a successful international career, leading Argentina to the Copa America title in 2021 and helping the team reach the final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
He also kept his Argentine national team at the top till they won the 2022 FIFA World Cup which was hosted in Qatar.
After the teams win, Messi gifted 14 iPhones to his team mates and all the staff of team to congratulate and applaud them for their hard work for the teams success at the World Cup.
Also, Lionel Messi is married to Antonella Roccuzzo, his childhood sweetheart. The couple first met when Messi was just five years old and Roccuzzo was his friend’s cousin. They started dating in 2008 and got married in June 2017 in their hometown of Rosario, Argentina.
The ceremony was attended by several famous footballers, including Messi’s Barcelona teammates and Argentina’s national team.
Messi and Roccuzzo have three children together: Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro. The family is known for being relatively private and keeping their personal lives out of the public eye.
The Parisians have had a challenging week after having their chances of winning Ligue 1 derailed by a home setback to Lorient on April 30.
After making an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia, the French giants also put the world’s best player, Lionel Messi, on two weeks of suspension.
On Wednesday, fans chanted outside the club’s headquarters, demanding the board resign. Further clips showed supporters outside Neymar’s home, calling for him to move on, perPSG Report.
In a video shared on social media, some fans showed up with megaphones, flares, and banners in front of the Brazilian’s residence as frustration with the star’s performance continues to grow.
Neymar, who has been linked with a move away from Paris to the English Premier League in recent weeks, took to social media to confirm fans had come to his home in France.
“They’ve just left my door,” Neymar wrote on Twitter, along with a crying emoji.
In a statement, via Yahoo Sports, the club said: “Whatever the differences of opinion, nothing justifies such actions. The club gives its full support to its players, its staff and all those targeted by such shameful behaviour.”
Neymar nears return to Paris
Meanwhile, Neymar is expected to return to PSG at the end of April after recovering from his ankle injury in his home country of Brazil, Get Football reports.
The star saw his season end early after he sustained an injury during a Ligue 1 match against Lille on February 19,2021 which necessitated surgery in Qatar.
Neymar is still wearing an orthopaedic boot as he recovers from the injury, but the PSG forward can reportedly remove it once he returns to France.
However, he was expected to PSG by the close of April 2023.The injury forced him to miss a significant portion of the season and raised doubts about his availability for the team’s crucial upcoming matches.
Neymar has been a key player for PSG since joining the team in 2017. He has helped the club win multiple domestic trophies and reach the final of the UEFA Champions League in the 2019-20 season. The injury he sustained was a significant blow to PSG’s hopes of winning both domestic and European competitions, and his return to the team would be a welcome boost for the club and its fans.
Neymar’s girlfriend announces pregnancy
In more positive news, Sports Brief reported on Neymar becoming a father again after his girlfriend, Bruna Biancardi’s recent pregnancy announcement.
The model tagged the 31-year-old Paris Saint-Germain superstar in a post on social media(Instagram), where she announced the positive news to her 3.8 million followers.
The couple shared a series of snaps highlighting Biancardi’s visibly growing baby bump, and in one of the photos, Neymar holds his girlfriend’s belly with a smile.
The news was reported by Sports Brief and announced by Biancardi herself on social media.
The post included a series of pictures, including some highlighting Biancardi’s visibly growing baby bump. The post was coupled with a passionate message to the unborn child of how she has a beautiful family awaiting his/her coming into this world.
Neymar has been in a relationship with Biancardi for some time, and the news of their upcoming child has been well-received by his fans and followers on social media. This will be Neymar’s third child, as he is already a father to a son, Davi Lucca, whom he had with his former partner Carolina Dantas, and a daughter, whose mother’s identity is not publicly known.
According to reports, Lionel Messi’s time at Paris Saint-Germain will come to an end this summer.
The Argentinian, whose contract with PSG expires in a month, has recently been the target of jeers from PSG supporters, and this week’s unauthorized travel to Saudi Arabia resulted in a ban from his Parisian employers.
The club’s president Nasser Al Khelaifi was already dedicated to eradicating the “bling bling” culture at the team and rebuilding around young, local talent, so the writing now seems to be on the wall for Messi at PSG.
Even though it was extremely expensive, Kylian Mbappe’s contract renewal from the previous year is considered as a component of this new approach. But Messi appears to no longer be a part of those plans.
It has been reported Messi’s father, Jorge, informed the club’s director of football a few weeks ago that his son did not want to extend his contract by another year.
The unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia further upped the ante and it is understood he has been suspended for two weeks from training and matches.
On Wednesday, the Saudi Tourism Authority released details of Messi’s trip to Riyadh. The player and his family “indulged in a fine-dining experience” at the Al Bujairi Terrace, visited the VIA Riyadh luxury retail complex and also the 300-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site in Diriyah.
Before heading to Diriyah, the family had been to a farm where they fed Arabian gazelles, the release said.
Amnesty International said earlier this year that Messi’s ambassador role with Saudi Arabia was part of the country’s “aggressive sportswashing programme”, with Saudi authorities “seeking to exploit the celebrity appeal of elite sport to deflect attention from the country’s appalling human rights record”.
In order to visit Saudi Arabia, where he is an ambassador for that country’s bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the 35-year-old attacker had to first get approval from two senior PSG officials.
Messi reportedly spoke to the club’s administration before Campos and Galtier did, and they agreed to allow the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner to travel to Riyadh. This is according to PSG Talk.
Messi’s move has reportedly enraged the club’s supporters, who are frustrated with PSG because players can do whatever they want without regard for the institution.
Messi is set to become a free agent in the summer when his current PSG contract expires, and Saudi top team, Al Hilal, are one of the teams interested in signing the Argentine.
UEFA declares Messi’s UCL titles
Meanwhile, Daily Post reports that UEFA has declared that Lionel Messi has won the Champions League only three times in his career.
Messi has been part of the Barcelona team since 2004 and played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s Champions League victories in 2009, 2011, and 2015 but not in their 2006 success.
Barcelona’s hopes of reuniting with Lionel Messi this summer have suffered a significant setback. As previously reported by Sports Brief, the Catalan club had been hoping to bring back their record goal-scorer, who left to join Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. However, the club has failed to convince La Liga about the viability of their financial plan.
Barcelona is currently facing financial difficulties and has been trying to cut costs while still trying to sign Messi. But La Liga, which oversees the financial fair play of all clubs in the league, has expressed doubts that Barcelona will be able to meet their demands and targets.
Leo leaves Barca, shed tears at send off ceremony
According to reports, Barcelona’s viability plan aimed to reduce the club’s wage bill by €200 million and make savings of €300 million. The club’s failure to meet these targets has raised concerns about their ability to comply with financial fair play regulations.
The failure of Barcelona to secure Messi’s return could have far-reaching consequences for the club, given the importance of the player to the team’s success over the years. Messi, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, scored a total of 672 goals in 778 appearances for Barcelona.
His departure from the club last year was seen by many as the end of an era.
Barcelona’s financial difficulties have been exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has hit the club hard in terms of lost revenue. The club’s wage bill, which was already one of the highest in Europe, has been further inflated by the signing of several high-profile players in recent years.
The club’s attempts to cut costs have included the departures of several key players, including Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, and Arturo Vidal. However, the club’s efforts to reduce its wage bill have been hampered by the high salaries of some of its remaining players, including Antoine Griezmann and Philippe Coutinho.
Barcelona has also been trying to raise funds through player sales, with the likes of Samuel Umtiti, Miralem Pjanic, and Junior Firpo all rumored to be on the chopping block. However, the club has struggled to find buyers for these players, who are all on high salaries.
The failure of Barcelona to bring back Messi is likely to be a major disappointment for fans of the club, who had been hoping to see their star player return to the Camp Nou. However, it remains to be seen what impact this will have on the team’s fortunes on the pitch.
Barcelona’s current squad is still packed with talented players, including the likes of Griezmann, Coutinho, and Frenkie de Jong. The club also has a number of promising young players, such as Pedri, Ansu Fati, and Ilaix Moriba.
However, the loss of Messi will undoubtedly be felt by the team, both in terms of his on-field contributions and his influence in the dressing room. The 33-year-old Argentine forward was not only the club’s all-time top scorer but also its talismanic leader, who inspired his teammates with his passion and commitment.
Despite the setback of failing to sign Messi, Barcelona remains one of the biggest clubs in world football, with a rich history and a loyal fanbase. The club will be hoping to bounce back from its recent financial difficulties and re-establish itself as a major force in the sport.
AsParis Saint-Germain prepares to play Lorient in an attempt to clinch the Ligue 1 championship, Christophe Galtier has lauded the contribution Sergio Ramos has made this season.
The former Real Madrid defender joined the team before the 2021–22 season, although his injury-plagued season saw him struggle for playing time.
However, after a successful preseason and a medical clean-up, the former Spain star has been one of PSG’s top players in 2022–2023.
Ahead of his side’s clash with Lorient, where they can help maintain their eight-point gap at the summit, Galtier has highlighted the impact made by Ramos.
“Sergio had a difficult season last year linked to calf injuries,” he said. “[This time,] he had complete preparation. He is a hyper-professional player.
“When you have such a record at this age, it is because you put all the chances on your side. He brings his experience [and] he is an important player in the locker room.
As part of a visit to Paris, David Beckham went to the training centre of his former club to meet the players of Paris Saint-Germain. ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/hhIVQz4A5C
“There have been exchanges between the sports management and him. I am very satisfied with his season and with what he brings on matchdays but also in everyday life.
Ramos was integral to helping arrest PSG’s slide earlier this month, netting in their 2-0 win over Nice to bring a two-game wobble to a close.
He was overlooked by Spain for the Qatar 2022 World Cup and confirmed his retirement from the international game following discussions with new coach Luis de la Fuente.
RC Lens has impressed Thierry Henry a great deal this year, and he has praised them as the best Ligue 1 team to watch.
The French top tier league’s fewest losses this season have come from RC Lens, managed by Franck Haise, with four, one fewer than fifth-place Paris Saint-Germain.
Henry has praised Lens’ aggressive style of play, Get Football reports, which has helped them move up to third in the Ligue 1 standings after matchday 32.
“The star of this team is simply the team. It’s contagious when you see a team going forward, fighting together, regardless of the starting XI. This team is really difficult to manoeuvre,” the France legend commented.
Last season, RC Lens finished 7th in Ligue 1 but this term, the Artois side are pushing to qualify for the Champions League.
They currently sit 3rd on the table with 66 points after 32 games.
Lens boost Champions League hopes
Meanwhile, RC Lens improved its Champions League chances with a 3-0 home win over Monaco in Ligue 1, a direct rival for a place in Europe’s top club competition, Sportstar reports.
Belgium striker, Lois Openda scored twice before half-time and set up midfielder, Adrien Thomasson for the third goal in the second half, lifting the team to third place on 66 points with seven games remaining.
Monaco is now in fourth place, five points behind second-placed Olympique de Marseille, tied on 66 points with RC Lens after defeating Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday.
Henry: Messi should snub PSG
Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Paris Saint-Germain forward, Lionel Messi being urged to rejoin Barcelona in what would be a fairy tail reunion.
The comment was made by the legendary Henry, who played alongside the Argentine at the Catalans giants between 2007 and 2010.
Messi’s current deal with PSG expires this summer, with negotiations between the player’s entourage and the club said to have hit a roadblock.
Lionel Messi has previously hinted that a return to Barcelona may be in the works after being seen in Spain socialising with former teammates.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires in the summer, and Barcelona is eager to reunite with him and is one of the favourites to sign him.
Messi reportedly had supper with his former Barcelona colleagues Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets on Monday night before being photographed exiting a restaurant in Spain, according to Football Espana.
The PSG forward was mobbed by reporters and some of his many fans, who were all eager to take selfies and get the Argentine superstar’s signature as he left the restaurant.
It is the second time Messi has returned to Barcelona in two months, fuelling speculation that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner might return to Camp Nou next season.
Defender welcomes Messi’s return
Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano defender, Ivan Balliu has welcomed the possibility of Messi returning to Barcelona in the summer, Barca Universal reports.
Balliu, who started his football career at the Catalans’ academy, said the veteran’s arrival would be welcomed and would will help La Liga grow furtherbeyond its current status.
Messi has been linked with a return to Barcelona after two years away, following his move to PSG in 2021 after his heartbreaking exit from Camp Nou.
Ancelotti unbothered by Messi’s return
Elsewhere, Sports Brief reported on Carlo Ancelotti having no issues with Messi returning to Barcelona after he was asked about the Argentine’s possible return to Camp Nou.
The veteran’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires this summer and reports indicate both parties do not seem interested in renewing the deal beyond the current season.
Messi is considered a cult hero at Barcelona and the club’s fans have been highly anticipating his return to the team, where he spent 17 seasons before joining PSG in 2021.
In addition to Chelsea, at least one other Premier League club is apparently interested in signing Neymar fromParis Saint-Germain.
After another injury-plagued season in 2022–2023, the Brazilian attacker is having worries about his future at Parc des Princes.
He has made 29 appearances this season and has scored 18 goals, however he has been out with an ankle injury since February 19.
While the 31-year-old has not been at his best this season, Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is said to have asked about the South American’s potential availability during talks with PSG bosses earlier this year.
Neymar would fit the bill for the Blues when it comes to bringing in another marquee addition.
The Mirror is, however, claiming that Chelsea could face competition from domestic rivals in any scramble to secure Neymar’s signature.
Interest from England is said to be building, with there no doubting that a man with a record 77 international goals to his name remains a match-altering talent on his day.
Neymar is tied to a contract at PSG through to 2025, with there a further 12-month option in his deal that could be triggered.
But the Ligue 1 champions are considering a freshening up of their ranks and the summer of 2023 may present them with a final opportunity to demand a sizeable fee for an ageing playmaker.
Ronald Koeman, the head coach of the Netherlands, has asked Xavi Simons to stay at PSV for another year despite strong rumours that he may be returning to Paris Saint-Germain.
Simons, who joined PSG from Barcelona two years prior, switched to PSV in August of last year after being limited to just 11 first-team appearances for the Ligue 1 powerhouse.
For second-placed PSV’s 30 Eredivisie games this season, the 20-year-old has started every one of them, but he recently made it seem as though he could be open to returning to PSG in the future.
Barca have also been tipped to move for their former youth player, yet Koeman believes the young attacking midfielder is better off staying in the Netherlands for the time being.
“I think it would be very good for him to stay one more year at PSV,” Koeman told Studio Voetbal.
Opening up on talks he held with Simons earlier this week, Koeman added: “I can’t reveal what we talked about, but these next steps are extremely important.
“I consider Xavi to be someone who weighs up his choices very carefully.”
Simons is the joint-top scorer in theDutch top flight this season with 15 goals, level with Heerenveen forward Sydney van Hooijdonk, while also assisting a further eight goals.
The three-cap Netherlands international can play right across the frontline, and national team boss Koeman believes he can become even more of a creative force in the future.
“I see him on the left for us, and I think he can grow into the number 10 position,” Koeman said. “He’s very talented and already very important at PSV.”
Antonio Rudiger has given an explanation for why, despite strong interest from Paris Saint-Germain, he decided to sign with Real Madrid last summer.
When it became clear that Rudiger would not be extending his five-year contract with Chelsea last summer, most European teams, notably Real Madrid and PSG, started to show interest in him.
The 30-year-old was surrounded by French powerhouses, but he already knew which club he would be joining next.
Fast forward, the German defender inked a four-year deal with Los Blancos in June last year, rejecting PSG in the process. When quizzed on his decision to join Madrid amid links to PSG, Rudiger told Canal+Afrique, as quoted by Tribuna:
“There were a lot of rumours when PSG came, it was something I was not looking for.
He continued: “It’s nothing against PSG. It’s a beautiful club. But Real Madrid is Real Madrid. If you want to be on the winning side, you join Real Madrid.”
Since moving to Madrid, Rudiger has already added the UEFA Super Cup to his collection of trophies and could add the Champions League and the Copa del Rey this season after becoming a mainstay in Carlo Ancelotti’s set-up, racking up over 40 appearances under his belt, per Transfermarkt.
Why Rudiger chose Real Madrid
Rudiger also shed light on how Real Madrid president Florentino Perez convinced him to join the Spanish side with a heartwarming gesture seven years ago.
Rudiger suffered an ACL injury in 2016 while at Italian Serie A outfit AS Roma. But while he was recuperating from the injury setback, the unthinkable unfolded right before his eyes when he received a surprise letter from Perez wishing him a speedy recovery.
The heartwarming gesture by Perez startled the former Chelsea centre-half, leaving him convinced he will don the all-white outfit of Los Blancos in the future.
How Rudiger deals with pressure at Madrid
Earlier, Sports Brief reported on how Antonio Rudiger deals with pressure at Real Madrid.
The hard-tackling central defender swapped Chelsea for Madrid last summer, and despite struggling to secure a permanent berth in Carlo Ancelotti’s lineup at the start of the season, he has grown in leaps and bounds.
When quizzed on how he has managed to deal with the ever-demanding nature of the club’s fanbase, the 30-year-old suggested he devised a mechanism that helps him.
Considering that Lionel Messi’s contract withParis Saint-Germain expires this summer, a shocking return to Barcelona appears to be imminent.
According to reports, Lionel Messi arrived in Barcelona this weekend with his family and “14 luggage” in tow. Barcelona has been open about their efforts to re-sign the great Argentine this summer at the Nou Camp.
After the conclusion of the current campaign, his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires, and the Ligue 1 powerhouses appear to have given up on negotiations for a new one. Messi sobbed at a tearful farewell to Barcelona in 2021, the year he left the team he had joined for free at the age of 13.
He’s set to win his second Ligue 1 title with PSG as the French side sits nine points clear at top of the table with just six games remaining. But he looks set to depart the Parc des Princes stadium this summer in a sensational return to Barcelona.
Adding to the speculation of an impending return, transfer expert Gerard Romero claims Messi has arrived in Barcelona this weekend. It’s claimed the Argentina international made his trip on a ‘private flight’ and had his family with him while he was ‘hidden in terminal one’.
Messi is also said to have had ’14 suitcases’ with him, further suggesting he has prepared for a full-time return to Barcelona. The purpose of Messi’s visit is not made clear, but his arrival in Spain only adds to the speculation on his future.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has admitted repeatedly over recent months that the club are trying to bring Messi back. “I have to find a way to improve Messi’s current relationship with Barcelona,” he said recently.
Following the Senegalese forward’s recent problems with the defending Bundesliga winners, Sadio Mane has been pushed to leave Bayern Munich after just one season.
The 31-year-old forward has had a bumpy start to life at Bayern, being dogged by injuries and off-field drama after his altercation with colleague Leroy Sane.
Journalist Nabil Djelitt, according to PSG Talk, has recommended Mane to transfer to Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain this summer in order to escape his nightmares in Germany.
“Sadio Mane is a global brand; it was announced like that, and he is not a player who has a vocation to be on the sidelines. I advise him to go to PSG.”
Djelitt believes the Bundesliga champions haven’t put the Senegalese forward in the proper position to succeed after the German club fell in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
Bayern chief admits error signing Mane
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich sporting director, Hasan Salihamidzic, has admitted that the club should have targeted a centre forward during last summer’s transfer window, Daily Post reports.
Instead of finding a comparable replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who joined Barcelona, the Bundesliga champions signed Mane from Liverpool.
Mane has struggled to find his best form with the Bundesliga giants as the Senegalese forward has scored just 11 goals in all competitions for Bayern Munich this season.
Mane and Sane reunite in training
It was reported that Bayern Munich winger, Sadio Mane returned to training on April 18, after serving a one-game ban for his bust-up with teammate, Leroy Sane.
The former Liverpool icon was axed from Bayern’s first team as part of disciplinary measures taken against him for reportedly punching Sane in the face.
Mane and Sane were involved in a scuffle in the dressing room after a disagreement during their Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium last week.
Although there has been rumour that the 35-year-old will be returning to Barcelona, the two parties have not yet reached an agreement on a new contract.
Also, Messi has been linked to high-profile transfers to teams in Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Paris Saint-Germainare willing to let Lionel Messi exit on a free transfer in the upcoming off-season, reports the Sunday Mirror.
Contract talks between Messi and PSG have stalled in the months following Argentina’s World Cup triumph, having reportedly been close to penning an extension.
The report claims PSG are “in no rush” to extend Messi’s deal as interest, with president Nasser Al-Khelaifi looking to run the club in a more sustainable way, relying less on star power.
Didier Drogba, a Chelsea stalwart, has advised Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen not to joinParis Saint-Germain this summer, saying the French club is not a place for him to continue playing football.
Given his outstanding performances for Napoli, where he currently leads the goalscoring table, Osimhen has so far this season captivated the hearts of many football fans in Nigeria and Italy.
This has made the former Lille strongman become a target for many clubs most especially him being linked with a move to the Premier League with clubs like Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal said to be interested.
Osimhen on the other hand has not really made his final decision about where to play his game next season as he is currently focusing on helping Napoli win the title.
And to make things sweet, Napoli are in good position to win the league title and Osimhen could also be the first Nigerian to take home the Golden Boot award in the Serie A.
Drogba’s advise to Osimhen
According to the report on Naija Footballer, Drogba who was one of the finest African strikers to have played in the Premier League made it clear that Osimhen should not move to France.
Berbatov wants Osimhen at Man United
It had reported how ahead of the forthcoming summer transfer window, former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov disclosed that he wants to see Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are also eyeing the Spurs forward Harry Kane, but Berbatov believes that the England striker is already of age.
United are desperate to sign a proven striker and are already making moves to land Kane before the start of the coming season.
The 29-year-old has already notched in over 200 Premier League goals, including 23 this season, but he is yet to win any major trophy in his career.
On Friday night against Angers, the Paris Saint-Germain duoLionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe once again united to irreversible effect.
Mbappe’s goal gave the Parisians the lead after just 9 minutes. Following Messi’s magnificent performance, the Frenchman wasted no time in scoring twice just 17 minutes later.
The Argentine sensation picked up the ball from about 40 yards away and was able to provide an exquisite through ball that split the Angers defence.
Mbappe took care of the rest, around the custodian before putting the ball in the back of the net without error.
Mbappe made sure to appreciate Messi’s genius and immediately joined the Argentine in celebration after scoring.
It was Messi’s 15th Ligue 1 assist of the year when he set up Mbappe.
How PSF defeated Angers
Sports Brief reported that Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain took another step towards securing the Ligue 1 title despite an unconvincing performance in beating bottom club Angers 2-1 on Friday.
Mbappe scored the opener in the ninth minute and added another before the half-hour mark to move clear as the French top flight’s leading marksman on 22 goals for the campaign.
It looked likePSG might go on to record a big victory but they eased off in the second half and relegation-bound Angers pulled a goal back late on through Sada Thioub.
Barcelona confident of signing Messi
Sports Brief earlier reported that Barcelona are not just itching to sign Lionel Messi to improve their results on the pitch, but also intend to use his return to Camp Nou to boost the economic growth of the club.
PSG defeated Angers 2-1 in the first half thanks to a pair of goals from Mbappe, moving Les Parisiens one step closer to a record-tying 11th Ligue 1 championship.
Following a lovely pass from Juan Bernat, the 24-year-old scored the opening goal for the visitors after just nine minutes.
He then doubled his tally and PSG’s lead with an even better assist from Lionel Messi, four minutes from the half-hour mark, Sportstar reports
Angers, on the other hand, were rewarded for their persistence with a consolation goal, setting up a nervy finish, but PSG held on to seal the vital win to go nine points clear at the summit of the table, albeit playing one more game than closest rivals, Marseille.
Following the end of the game, Galtier waxed lyrical on Mbappe.
“Kylian is a great competitor,” Galtier told a press conference as quoted by Sportskeeda.
“He [Kylian Mbappe] scores so the team can win. He has this obsession to break records, to always be the first.
There is this championship title but also that of the top scorer in Ligue 1. He’s made like that. He is a competitor. He was born for it, and when he doesn’t score, he feels it.”
Messi and Mbappe’s devastating combo
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe combined to a devastating effect once again against Angers in stunning style on Friday evening, Sports Brief reported.
The Parisians opened the scoring after just 9 minutes thanks to Mbappe. The Frenchman then wasted no time to grab a brace 17 minutes later after a majestic display from Messi.
The Argentine phenom picked the ball up some 40 yards out and managed to provide a sublime through ball that pierced Angers’ backline.
Mbappe urged to join Chelsea
Meanwhile, Sports Brief earlier reported that former France winger Florent Malouda has opened up on his consistent campaign for Kylian Mbappe to join Premier League side Chelsea.
Mbappe is currently tied to Paris Saint-Germain until 2024 and could extend his stay in the French capital by one more year amid swirling reports of a potential move in the summer.
Amid the uncertainty surrounding his future, Florent Malouda wants Mbappe to consider a move to the Premier League,revealing he has been trying to convince his compatriot to join Chelsea.
In the forthcoming transfer window, Paris Saint-Germain is reportedly ready to make a €150 million offer for star Napoli attacker Victor Osimhen.
The 24-year-old Osimhen is now in his third season with Napoli after moving there in a club-record €70 million deal from Lille, and this time around he has had one of the best goal-scoring campaigns in Europe.
The Nigerian international has been unstoppable with 21 goals in 24 Serie A appearances and five goals in six Champions League matches.
Now, the world’s best clubs have taken notice.
While there is also said to be strong interest in Osimhen coming from the deep pockets of Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain are trying to wrap things up early with a serious bid.
Football Insider is reporting the French giants are ready to meet Napoli’s enormous €150m asking price, with the hope they can blow Chelsea out of the water as they consider a £100m (€112m) bid of their own.
Osimhen’s contract ties him to the club for two more seasons after this one, but with his value at an all-time high,and with Napoli being able to offer the chance at league titles and deep Champions League runs, the Serie A leaders can demand a substantial windfall.
ROUND-UP
– According to GiveMeSport, Manchester United view Valencia’s 22-year-old goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili – who is priced around £45m (€50m) – as a potential long-term replacement for David de Gea.
– United are also showing interest in 19-year-old Benfica centre-back Antonio Silva, although they face competition from Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli, Real Madrid, Juventus and Liverpool, per Ekrem Konur.
– Football Insider is reporting Liverpool and Tottenham are the two teams 23-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt centre-back Evan Ndicka will choose between when his contract expires in a few months.
– According to the Daily Mail, 31-year-old Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino will join Barcelona on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Hakimi and Abouk are in court to formally begin the divorce process they started against the full-back as models and actors.
As part of the terms of the divorce, Abouk demanded access to half of Hakimi’s assets. But, he was astonished to learn that none of Hakimi’s assets were registered in his name, and that his net worth was incredibly low.
Instead, all the Morocco international’s assets were registered in his mother’s name, meaning she didn’t have to pay his ex-wife anything.
Since the news broke, Abouk has remained tight-lipped. But she has now broken her silence with a defiant message in which she insisted she was unfazed by the prospect of getting nothing from Hakimi.
The Spanish actress wrote via Sportskeeda:
“There are days when I’m fine and others when you must know how to take blows and make decisions that are sometimes complicated.
“In life, there are many good moments and also other bad ones. You marry for love, and you divorce for lack of love.
People evolve, change, grow and take a path sometimes, and there may also be a point where you stop finding yourself. “
Abouk continued:
“I have zero attachment to material things. I left home with one hand in front and the other behind, without the support of my family.
But I had to do it because my environment was not going to allow me to grow or be free. It was either my life or theirs, and I decided to fight for myself.”
Hakimi and Abouk started dating in early 2018 when the PSG defender used to play for Real Madrid.
In a post where she informed her 3.8 million followers of the news, the model mentioned the 31-year-old Paris Saint-Germain superstar.
In a series of adorable pictures the couple posted, Neymar can be seen grinning mischievously while holding Biancardi’s expanding baby bump.
According to Marca, the baby will be Neymar’s second child, as he has an 11-year-old named David Lucca with his ex-girlfriend and social media personality, Carolina Dantas.
Neymar and Biancardi await arrival
In the photos, Biancardi was in blue jeans and a crocheted top which was styled with a matching cardigan. Neymar, meanwhile, was dressed in a cream T-shirt and blue shorts.
The photos were coupled with a lengthy caption that read:
“We dream of your life, we plan your arrival and know that you are here to complete our love, leave our days much happier. You’re going to join a beautiful family, with a brother, grandparents, uncles and aunts who already love you very much!”
Following the red card incident during the RC Lens match, Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi sent Salis Abdul Samed of Ghana his best wishes.
Len was defeated 3-1 by PSG on Saturday night in Ligue 1 and the Black Stars player suffered his first-ever dismissal after just 19 minutes.
After playing well early on, RC Lens experienced a setback when their trusty holding midfielder received a straight red card following a harsh challenge on Achraf Hakimi.
After the game, the Ghana international took to social media and apologized to Hakimi, saying he didn’t have any bad intentions of hurting the player.
“Very sad to have abandoned the team in this way. I apologize to those I disappointed and to @AchrafHakimi. I had no bad intentions and I really regret, I apologize to all Lensois ????????” he tweeted.
Responding to Salis apology, the Moroccan international wished him well for the rest of the season.
“These are things that happen in football. Good luck for the rest of the season!” he tweeted as sighted by Footballghana.com.
With only 10 players left on the field, RC Lens failed to match the attacking prowess of Parisians.
Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring with a well-placed shot, followed by Vitinha’s powerful strike for the second goal. Mbappe and Lionel Messi combined for the third goal, which was finished off brilliantly by the Argentine.
Lens managed to score a consolation goal in the second half, but the outcome could have been different had they played with 11 men, as they were the better side until Salis’ rightful dismissal.
Salis, who has been an impressive player for Lens, would be disappointed that his mistake let his team down, as a win would have put them only three points behind the reigning champions.
The Moroccan international, Achraf Hakimi, has spoken for the first time since last week’s widely circulated allegations that he and his wife Hiba Abouk were divorcing.
The athlete posted images of football with the remark “What a win tonight!” to his Facebook and Twitter accounts.
It had to do with his club team, Paris-Saint-Germain, beating FC Les by a score of 3–12 at the Parc des Princes in Paris, the capital of France, in Ligue 1.
Many have praised him for allegedly outsmarting his wife by putting his properties in his mother’s name, as the viral divorce rumor claims, in response to reactions, particularly on Twitter.
Till date, there is a back and forth about whether or not indeed there is any truth to the divorce narrative especially as trusted news sites have yet to report it, not even the UK tabloids like the UK Daily Mail.
The still yet-to-be-confirmed viral story
The divorce case of the PSG defender and his wife has been in the public domain since the player was accused of rape by a 24-year-old lady in France.
According to multiple reports, Hiba Abouk filed for divorce and demanded half of Achraf Hakimi’s properties in March 2023.
However, according to unconfirmed reports on social media, Hiba Abouk was informed by the Court that her millionaire husband owns nothing because all his properties have been registered in his mother’s name.
This means that Hakimi has no money, property, cars, houses, or jewelry, and even the utensils he has in his house are not in his name.
Social media users have heavily praised the former Real Madrid defender because they believe that if not for his smartness, he would have lost half of his properties.
Many also said that Achraf Hakimi’s unorthodox style will become the blueprint for men who seek to evade such situations during divorce proceedings.
Christophe Galtier,the head coach of Paris Saint-Germain, has filed a lawsuit after being accused of making racist remarks against players while serving as the manager of Nice.
The accusations were made in an email purportedly written by former Nice football director Julien Fournier at the end of the previous campaign, which Galtier vehemently denies.
The Athletic claims that Dave Brailsford, director of sports for INEOS, the organization that owns Nice, was the email’s intended recipient.
The contents of the email were first reported on Tuesday, with Galtier alleged to have told Fournier – in Fournier’s words – that the club “could not have so many blacks and Muslims in the team”.
Fournier and Galtier both left Nice after the end of last season. The latter’s lawyer, Olivier Martin, has said the 56-year-old PSG coach “contests with the greatest firmness” the accusations made against him.
French media reported on Friday that police in Nice had launched an investigation.
Ahead of PSG’s crucial Ligue 1 meeting with second-placed Lens, Galtier confirmed he was taking legal action.
In a prepared statement, Galtier told reporters: “I cannot accept my name and my family’s name being tarnished in this way. I have therefore decided to take legal action against anyone damaging my reputation.
“I have confidence in the legal system in France. I have just found out that legal proceedings are beginning and I will not be making any further comments on this matter.
“PSG have a very important match tomorrow. All my energy and focus is on that game.”
Galtier said he was “very shocked by the allegations that some people have irresponsibly made”.
He has reportedly received threats this week since the email came to light, with PSG ensuring he has beenallocated added protection.
Galtier added: “These allegations hurt me in the deepest part of my being. I grew up in the inner city and was brought up in a mixing pot, with the overwriting values of sharing and respect for others, regardless of their origin, skin colour or religion.
“My whole life as a man, footballer and coach has been underpinned by constantly looking out for, sharing life with and living happily alongside others.”
Manager of Paris Saint-Germain, Christophe Galtier, has received support following accusations that he made racist remarks about players while in charge of Nice.
The accusations appeared in an email that Julien Fournier, a former Nice football director, is said to have sent at the conclusion of the previous campaign.
The email was sent to Dave Brailsford, the director of sports at INEOS, the organisation that owns Nice, according to The Athletic.
The email’s contents were originally made public on Tuesday evening, with Galtier allegedly telling Fournier that the team “could not have so many blacks and Muslims in the team” according to Fournier’s account.
Fournier and Galtier both left Nice after the end of last season, with Galtier cherry-picked to be coach of champions PSG.
Galtier’s lawyer, Olivier Martin, said the 56-year-old PSG coach “contests with the greatest firmness” the accusations made against him. In a statement to AFP, Martin said Galtier “learned with amazement of the insulting and defamatory remarks”.
Fournier allegedly also mentioned John Valovic, the agent and adopted son of Galtier, in the e-mail.
Valovic responded on Instagram, writing: “Thanks to everyone for your support. The accusations against me are false and intolerable. They will not remain without consequences.”
Veteran Turkish striker Burak Yilmaz, who played under Galtier at Lille, said the claims of racism did not tally with his own experiences.
In a message posted on Instagram on Wednesday evening, Yilmaz wrote: “I read the news today and I felt like I have to say something. I worked with Galtier and never felt any negative behaviour from him about my religion or nationality.
“He is a great coach as well as a great person.”
Defender Jose Fonte, who along with Yilmaz won the 2020-21 Ligue 1 title under Galtier at Lille, also stressed the claims came as a surprise.
“In three years working with Mr Galtier, he was always close to his players and above all, very respectful,” Fonte wrote. “It is upsetting reading some news today. I have only good things to say about this man.”
Jean-Michel Aulas, the long-standing president of Lyon, said he was “very sorry” for Galtier.
According to the Nice-Matin newspaper and other French media, security around Galtier has been tightened up since the allegations came to light.
Aulas, quoted by RMC, said: “I am very shocked and very sorry for Christophe, whom I know personally.
“I cannot imagine this kind of thing, but it’s not for me to pass judgement. We see things happening in the public square that are so different from what we advocate in football.
“From the moment Christophe expresses his refusal to accept this type of information, he has every right to do so.”
Nice issued a statement on Wednesday that read: “The facts related concern two people who no longer work for OGC Nice. This situation was treated with the utmost seriousness at the time of the events. The club will not comment further.”
Fournier has firmly denied leaking the email, saying in a statement to Nice-Matin: “I am in no way responsible for the dissemination of this year-old internal information at the time of my departure from the club. The timing of these revelations revolts me as much as their content.”
Galtier is expected to make a routine appearance at a PSG pre-match press conference on Friday, ahead of his team’s top-of-the-table Ligue 1 game against Lens the following day.
Kylian Mbappe said he still wants to win the Champions League with his home city club, ruling out the possibility of an early release from his Paris Saint-Germain deal.
The recently appointed France captain extended his PSG contract in May of last year, potentially keeping him with the Ligue 1 champions through the 2024–25 campaign.
This deterred Real Madrid from showing significant interest in the player who went on to score the most goals in the Qatar World Cup, scoring three goals against Argentina in the championship match.
For Mbappe, triumphing in the Champions League with the French capital giants would be the crowning glory of his career.
PSG went close in 2020, losing out 1-0 to Bayern Munich in the final, but they have been bundled out at the last-16 stage in the last two seasons, with Real Madrid taking their scalp last year and Bayern Munich their conquerors this time around.
“The next level? To win the Champions League, I think,” Mbappe told France 3 show Tout Le Sport.
“I’ve already made a final, semi-final, quarter-final, round of 16… I have done everything except winning.
“That’s all I need. I hope it will be as soon as possible.
“Where? At Paris Saint-Germain. I’m Parisian and under contract. So it’s Paris Saint-Germain.”
Mbappe also dreams of winning an Olympic gold medal with France, so it is possible the 24-year-old could double up next year and compete at Paris 2024 after representing Les Bleus at the European Championship.
“I don’t know if I’ll be there,” Mbappe said. “But, in any case, I hope to be there.
In a thrilling La Liga match at the Santiago Bernabeu,Villarreal upset Real Madrid 3-2 with two goals scored in the closing 20 minutes.
Alex Baena and Federico Valverde, who had clashed throughout the game, later got into a fight in the parking lot, but the drama didn’t end there.
According to Marca, Valverde punched the Villarreal winger for allegedly making remarks about the Uruguayan’s then-unborn child during the teams’ January Copa del Rey matchup with Villarreal.
Valverde’s partner had a stillbirth scare, but thankfully everything turned out okay.
And Marca added that during the match, Baena said to Valverde, “cry now that your son is not going to be born,” after fouling him during the Copa match.
Federico Valverde punched Alex Baena after Madrid's defeat to Villarreal, sources have confirmed to ESPN.
Valverde reacted angrily to alleged remarks that Baena made about his unborn child, sources said. Valverde and his partner Mina Bonino had a miscarriage scare in February. pic.twitter.com/0Q8Xr8Dtsq
Goal claims that Villarreal has video of the alleged incident, and police are aware of it. Meanwhile, in his response to the incident, Baena insisted that he had never previously insulted Valverde.
He wrote on Instagram: “Thrilled by the team’s impressive victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, but also saddened by the abuse I received after the game and taken aback by what is being said about me personally.
It is totally false that I said that!”
Valverde dreams of Real Madrid captainship
Meanwhile,Federico Valverde believes he will one day captain Real Madrid as long as he continues playing at the highest level for the Spanish champions, SB Nation reports.
The Uruguayan was speaking ahead of Real Madrid’s Club World Cup semi-final clash against African champions Al Ahly on Wednesday, February 8.
Valverde is bidding to win another major tournament with Real Madrid after emerging as a Champions League and La Liga winner with the Spanish giants.
Valverde scores goal of the season Sports Brief had earlier reported that Federico Valverde’s rocket against Sevilla will contend for the Goal of the Season Award in La Liga.
Real Madrid opened the scoring through Luka Modric but Erik Lamela found the equaliser 10 minutes after the interval.
Two minutes later, Valverde then smashed an unstoppable right-footed shot into the top corner from just outside the penalty area to make it 3-1.
On Saturday in Ligue 1,Paris Saint-Germain defeated Nice 2-0 thanks to goals from Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos.
At Allianz Riviera, Messi scored after 26 minutes, and Ramos added a goal in the second half by supplying the cross from a corner.
After two losses, Christophe Galtier’s team won for the first time in three games, however they owed as much to Gianluigi Donnarumma as they did to Lionel Messi.
Nice peppered the PSG goal either side of half-time, only to come away empty-handed against their former coach, suffering their first defeat under Didier Digard.
PSG had started the brighter,knowing a victory was required to restore a six-point cushion to second-placed Lens, and went close to an opener when Danilo Pereira’s header beat Kasper Schmeichel but bounced back out off the post.
Four minutes later, Messi made the breakthrough when he finished into the roof of the net from Nuno Mendes’ square pass inside the area.
Nice refused to back down, however, and Donnarumma made excellent saves to deny both Nicolas Pepe and Terem Moffi late in the first half.
That momentum continued into the second half, with Dante agonisingly close to a deserved equaliser when the ball bounced down off the crossbar and back out via the post without fully crossing the goal line.
Further Donnarumma saves followed, including another notable stop from Pepe shortly after Dante’s effort, and Nice were made to pay for their profligacy when Ramos rose highest at the other end to meet Messi’s corner.
Danilo then headed against his own crossbar in the closing stages, summing up Nice’s rotten luck.
What does it mean? PSG snap losing streak
With defeat to Rennes in their final game during March and a loss at the hands of Lyon upon their return to action following the international break, PSG had been enduring a tough spell.
They got their title defence back on track here, however, even if they did so in a fashion that again did not always reflect the wealth of talent they had on the pitch.
Mbappe made to wait once more
It has been nearly a month since Mbappe last scored in Ligue 1, leaving him still on 138 goals for PSG in the top flight.
He needs only one more to surpass Edinson Cavani as the club’s outright all-time leading scorer in the competition, but chances were few and far between in this game. The forward blazed over in the closing minutes but was ruled offside.
Nice denied despite chances
With 21 shots to 13 from PSG, Nice will wonder how they did not find the net.
A large part of that was down to Donnarumma, who made seven saves – his joint-most in the league since eight against Lille back in August.
Key Opta Facts
– PSG have won their last three Ligue 1 away games (3-0 against Marseille, 2-1 against Brest, 2-0 against Nice) after losing three of their first four in 2023 (W1). – The capital club faced 21 shots against Nice, their second-highest tally in a Ligue 1 game over the past five seasons, behind the 24 against Reims in October 2022 (0-0). – Messi has been involved in 11 goals in 2023 in Ligue 1 (seven goals, four assists), trailing only Wissam Ben Yedder (12). The PSG forward has scored and assisted in the same league game on six occasions this season, the highest tally in Europe’s top five leagues. – Mbappe attempted just one shot in this game, his joint-lowest tally over the last two seasons when playing 90 minutes in the league, along with the game against Auxerre in November 2022.
What’s next?
Nice are in Europa Conference League action against Basel on Thursday, while PSG have a table-topping Ligue 1 clash with Lens next Saturday.
Following in the footsteps of his illustrious father, Joao Mendes recently finalised a transfer to the Barca U19 team.
The 18-year-old has previously made appearances for Cruzeiro and Flamengo of Brazil as well as a brief stint with Paris Saint-Germain.
At the MIC tournament across Catalonia, he made his debut wearing the No.7 shirt.
The left-footed forward was expected to live up to his father’s legendary status, however, a video circulating on social media shows the youngster struggling to make the impact that many had hoped he would.
The 29-second video clip features various snippets of Mendes’ performance where he tried to recreate some of his dad’s trickery, unsuccessfully attempted to get past opposition players and struggled to pick out teammates in the box.
And football fans on social media did not back after the footage of Mendes quickly gathered over 15 million views.
Social media reactions
@GHambolu tweeted: Not even an ounce of talent!? I’d be livid
@swayamsinhahaha posted: Didn’t even dribble past 1 man
@Tolu_Banks tweeted: Maybe Ronaldinho’s wife was cheating on him with Àntony
@iamsvdney tweeted: Neymar is ronaldinho’s son pls, idk who this is bruh.
@GI_Irvin tweeted: This one did not grow up in Brazil
@XUFFLER tweeted: Like father and definitely not like son.
How Ronaldinho fared at Barcelona
Ronaldinho had his best years as a footballer while playing for Barcelona. The 2002 World Cup champion won multiple La Liga championships and the UEFA Champions League in 2006, also scooping several coveted individual prizes, including the Ballon d’Or and FIFA Player of the Year awards.
Ronaldinho’s son joins Barcelona
In related news, it was reported on Mendes joining Barcelona, the team his father played for in Spain.
The 17-year-old signed a contract to play football outside of his native Brazil with the Catalan giants’ U19 squad.
Mendes had played for the Cruzeiro team in Brazil before relocating to Spain to sign up for La Blaugrana.
Paris Saint-Germain’s performance has been deemed “unacceptable” by Christophe Galtier as the champions attempt to keep their lead atop Ligue 1 from being reduced once more.
PSG, who has already been eliminated from the Champions League by Bayern Munich, is only six points ahead of Lens in second place after losing their previous two home games against Rennes and Lyon.
Galtier has made his feelings known to PSG’s star-studded team ahead of a trip to his former team Nice, who haven’t lost since early January.
“We have prepared well for Nice,” he said at a press conference. “I spoke to my players the day after the [Lyon] game and I asked them to be more committed and show more personality.
“We also need to be more respectful of instructions during games. That relates to our setup and commitment, which were not enough.”
He added: “We know we need to do more, and I mean everyone, including me. We need to do much more. We need to play better football and show more personality.
“We also need to be proud because at PSG, we need to perform well in every game, and the current situation is unacceptable… When the players are on the same page and are fully committed throughout the game, we know we can perform very well.”
8 – Paris have lost eight of their 18 games in 2023 in all competitions, their highest tally of defeats after 18 games in a calendar year since 2001 (9). Drifting. #PSGOLpic.twitter.com/3Li3apWw95
Having only lost four games in the whole of 2022, PSG have already been beaten eight times in 2023, leaving Galtier’s future shrouded in doubt.
But the 56-year-old insists he is not feeling the pressure.
“Of course, when we lose, and that was the eighth one and it was a significant one, it is not about pressure,” he said. “It is about analysing that moment and getting the analysis right so that there are no excuses.
“As to whether I feel comfortable, I do. But we need to get out of this spiral and put some wins together. We are after our 11th league title and this is what I said to the players as well. We have a six-point lead which may seem like a lot, but it can change quickly in football.”
Galtier also drew a line under Kylian Mbappe’s unhappy reaction to being used by the club in a promotional video for season ticket renewals without his knowledge.
“It is very difficult for me to talk about that,” he said. “Kylian Mbappe has a relationship with the club and this morning he was very smiley and committed as always.
“He also has had a small hip problem, but that will not affect him playing on Saturday against Nice.
“Everyone has their own way of reacting. Kylian has been talking to the board and if we call that an incident, maybe there has been a misunderstanding, which has now been put to bed.”
Marco Verratti’s hamstring injury will prevent him from travelling with Paris Saint-Germain to Nice on Saturday.
The president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and football advisor Luis Campos were there for Friday’s training session, but the Italy international was conspicuously absent.
Verratti had a hamstring strain, which necessitated him to stay indoors for treatment, as later verified by PSG.
While the club did not give much of an outline about the injury’s severity, they did state more information will be provided early next week.
As such, Verratti will seemingly be unable to feature for Christophe Galtier on Saturday as PSG look to end a slump against the coach’s former employers.
Defending champions PSG have lost each of their past two Ligue 1 games, suffering successive top-flight defeats for the first time since September 2020.
Nice have not been in the finest of form themselves, drawing their previous four league outings, meaning PSG will likely be confident of avoiding losing three in a row in Ligue 1 for the first time in 13 years.
You have to go back another three years to the last time PSG failed to score in three consecutive Ligue 1 games (four), with Rennes and Lyon shutting the Parisians out either side of the March international break.
PSG remain at the top of Ligue 1, but the recent blip has seen their lead cut to just six points ahead of Lens, their nextopponents after the trip to Nice.
As the Ligue 1 leaders try to stem their slide, Christophe Galtier, the coach ofParis Saint-Germain, is facing mounting pressure ahead of Saturday’s game against Nice, where he previously played.
PSG leads the French standings by six points, although their lead was double digits before back-to-back losses at home just after the most recent international break.
PSG has lost eight of their 18 games in 2023 after losing by scores of 2-0 to Rennes, 1-0 to mid-table Lyon, and 2-0 to Rennes.
The Parisians are now just six points clear of both Lens and Marseille at the summit as they chase what would be a French record 11th league title, and a ninth in 12 years under Qatari ownership.
The prospect of PSG failing to win the title still appears slim, but they have a home meeting with Lens coming up after Saturday’s visit to the Cote d’Azur, difficult fixtures in which Galtier can ill afford to slip up.
Widely-read sports daily L’Equipe this week reported that Galtier would be playing for his job in these games, with the club’s football advisor Luis Campos and president Nasser al-Khelaifi prepared to change the coach if the club’s grip on the top of the table were seriously threatened.
“We are wasting our trump cards with each game that goes by, but I am not giving up. I will fight until the end,” said Galtier, who has a two-year contract, last weekend. “There needs to be a reaction of champions.”
Already out of theChampions League and French Cup, PSG will be wary of a Nice team unbeaten in 14 matches since ex-Paris midfielder Didier Digard took over as coach in January.
Nice are also France’s sole surviving European representative and have a Europa Conference League quarter-final against Swiss club Basel coming up.
Kylian Mbappe is unhappywith Paris Saint-Germain’s excessive usage of his image rights after the club launched a new campaign to encourage ticket sales for the 2023–24 season,
The 24-year-old has said he wasn’t contacted before the Ligue 1 champions’ internet film promoting the sale of season tickets for the next season
According to Sportskeeda, Mbappe who is the club’s top scorer this season with 31 goals and eight assists in 34 appearances across competitions has now released a statement condemning the act by PSG.
“I was never informed of that. I don’t agree with that video published. PSG is a top club and family but it’s NOT Kylian Saint-Germain”.
PSG are reportedly paying Mbappe €250million over the course of three years after the French forward penned a new deal with the Ligue 1 champions last summer.
Mbappe receives 10 times monthly salary
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe has reportedly received 10 times his monthly salary at Paris Saint-Germain as an annual loyalty bonus from the club, Daily Post reports.
The 24-year-old who is currently one of the highest-paid footballers in the world earns a whopping €60million per year as a loyalty bonus, while his monthly salary stands at €6million.
Mbappe proved his loyalty to PSG last summer when he rejected a move to Real Madrid at the expiration of his contract and committed to the club till 2025.
Argentine superstar and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) playerLionel Messi reportedly received a staggering offer worth €400 million from a Saudi Arabian club, Al-Hilal.
The news comes amid persistent rumours that World Cup winner Messi will leave PSG this summer rather than agree to a new contract.
If the legendary player accepts what is being termed as “mother of all deals” it would give a new boost to Saudi Arabia with having two soccer greats playing in their professional league tournaments as Cristiano Ronaldo is part of the Al Nassr club after completing $75 million per-year move last year.
The bumper offer from the Riyadh club includes all the advantages set for the player, and meets the demands of the best FIFA men’s player of the year 2022 and captain of Argentina, the 2022 Qatar World Cup Champions, Okaz/Saudi Gazette cited sources as having said.
Meanwhile, Jorge Horacio Messi, father and business agent of Messi, has been spotted in Riyadh in recent days, sparking speculation that he could be negotiating a deal for his son.
In his capacity as tourism ambassador of Saudi Arabia, Messi traveled to the Kingdom on several occasions for promotional activities.
If Messi departs, PSG would likely be doubly determined to keep hold of Kylian Mbappe for at least one more season, a year after persuading the France striker to sign a new deal and turn down overtures from Real Madrid.
As well as the uncertainty over Messi’s future, there are doubts about coach Christophe Galtier, who was only appointed last July but has come under intense pressure following recent results.
Lionel Messi, a forward for Paris Saint-Germain, has been encouraged to think about making a fantastical comeback to FC Barcelona.
Thierry Henry wants Messi to visit his old haunts this summer. Messi and Henry were teammates at Barcelona from 2007 to 2010.
Messi’s current contract with PSG expires this summer, but talks between the player’s entourage and the team have hit a snag.
The uncertainty surrounding his future in Paris has prompted Barcelona and a host of other clubs to lure the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
However, among Messi’s tall list of suitors, the Catalan giants have been favoured to land the 35-year-old’s signature, per MARCA.
Speaking about Messi’s possible destination in the future, Henry, who was on punditry duty for PSG’s home game against Olympique Lyon, said, as quoted by PSG Report: “Leo Messi should return to Barça, for the love of football and because he didn’t leave as he should have.
Henry continued: “I would like to see him [Messi] finish his career at Barcelona.”
Pique sends Messi warning to Barcelona
Meanwhile, former Spain and Barcelona defenderGerard Pique has urged the Catalan giants to be circumspect about bringing Lionel Messi back to the club.
Pique’s caution comes off the back of Barcelona’s attempts to re-sign Lionel Messi from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Messi’s current deal with PSG expires at the end of the season. As a result, the 35-year-old has been linked with a potential return to his old stomping grounds.
But the 2010 World Cup winner, who runs his own league after calling time on his career, has urged fans of the club to be coy about the potential return of Messi.
Online videos have surfaced showingLionel Messi’s response to the heckling of Paris Saint-Germain supporters.
Prior to the club’s Sunday night home loss in the French top division, Messi was the target of jeers and whistles from the supporters.
Since their club’s round-of-16 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has drawn the ire of some fans.
According to the supporters, Messi underperforms for Les Parisiens when compared to his performance for Argentina, according to ESPN.
At the start of PSG’s first league game since the international break, whistles and boos greeted the veteran’s name during the team’s lineup announcement over the loudspeaker, talkSPORT reports.
It proved to be an omen for a fourth defeat in Ligue 1 since the turn of the year, as Bradley Barcola’s early strike in the second half inflicted the latest loss for PSG at the Parc des Princes.
How Messi reacted to jeering
Since then, a video of how Messi reacted to the fan outrage has now surfaced online. In the clip, the veteran forward took it in his stride by simply laughing.
Meanwhile, the club is racing against time to tie the Argentine to a contract extension before his current deal runs out this summer.
His situation has prompted keen interest from a variety of suitors, including Barcelona.
PSG fans boo Messi again
Sports Brief also reported on PSG fans continuing to register their displeasure with Messi by jeering the 2022World Cup winner.
The 35-year-old has been subjected to boos by supporters, who claim he does not do enough when turning up for the Parisians.
Prior to the international break, Messi endured a similar treatment by fans after PSG’s surprise home loss to Rennes in Ligue 1.
Laurent Blanc, the manager of Olympique Lyon, has explained why Paris Saint-Germain has had trouble since their Champions League round-of-16 exit.
By handing PSG their second straight home loss in Ligue 1 on Sunday, Blanc, who led PSG from 2013 to 2016, added insult to injury.
The loss to Lyon brings PSG’s total number of losses in the French top division to five, as their season is still in trouble.
Trying to make sense out of the Parisians’ sudden slump of form, especially since the turn of the year, Blanc intimated the club turns to lose focus when they miss out on their Champions League ambitions.
“The problem with Paris [PSG] is that when the number 1 objective is no longer accessible, it seems that the season no longer exists,” he said as quoted by PSG Report.
Blanc continued: “If the UEFA Champions League continues, everything is fine.
The Champions League stops, then everything stops and everything is over.
It’s difficult to remobilize.”
PSG’s Champions League collapse
The Parisians have craved Europe’s premier club competition since the takeover by Qatar Sports Investment in 2011.
However, winning the big-eared trophy has proved extremely elusive despite the massive cash injection into revamping the squad, per Sporting News.
The 2019–20 season saw PSG reach the Champions League final, where they lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich in Lisbon.
That was the closest PSG has ever came to winning the competition.
PSG stumble to another Ligue 1 setback
Sunday, April 2, saw Paris Saint-Germain lose at home for the second time in a row, falling 1-0 to Lyon, with their World Cup-winning superstar Lionel Messi being jeered by some fans, Sports Brief reported.
Bradley Barcola of Lyon handed PSG their most recent defeat at the Parc des Princes, two weeks after they lost 2-0 to Rennes at home.
After being forced to leave Barcelona in 2021 due to a financial crisis, Messi signed a two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain and is now nearing the end of it.
This season, the World Cup winner has tallied 18 goals and added 17 assists, but with PSG losing in the Champions League, questions have been raised about his future in the French capital.
While David Beckham-owned Inter Miami are keen to take Messi to MLS, Barcelona have often been linked with a move for their all-time leading goalscorer, and Yuste refused to rule out a reunion on Friday.
“Of course we are in contact with Messi,” Yuste said on Friday. “Leo and his family know the affection I have for him, that we have them.
“I participated in the negotiations that did not come to fruition two years ago. I have that thorn stuck in me, and if we talk about La Masia, we talk about Leo.
“I would love for him to come back and I think the fans would too, because beautiful stories in life have to have a happy ending.
“We are in love with Messi and I think Messi is in love with Barca and the city of Barcelona.”
Any potential return for Messi may be dependent on Barca’s ability to cut their wage bill, with LaLiga president Javier Tebas claiming they must save €200million to meet the competition’s regulations for next season.
If the required savings can be made, Yuste believes a move for Messi is possible, adding: “Mateu [Alemany] and Jordi [Cruyff] have to present the viability and income plan to Tebas in two months.
“If all the conditions are given, we would explore that possibility. The president [Joan Laporta] was with Leo’s father recently and there is a good relationship.
“Of course, there is no attack plan because I do not want PSG to take it as that. If this happens, it will happen because destiny makes you go back to where you have to go back.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward, who is arguably one of the wealthiest athletes in the world, has never been afraid to spend a lot of money on things that make him happy.
After learning he would miss the rest of the season due to an ankle injury he sustained in February, the 31-year-old forward started playing poker.
Most recently, Neymar lost €1 million playing online on Tuesday night, but the Paris Saint-Germain forward didn’t appear to be phased by the significant loss.
After almost two hours of playing online games, the Brazilian rather amusingly reacted by pretending to play a sad flute melody in response to losing that significant sum.
Following his 2017 signing with PSG, Neymar became the most expensive player in history.
His salary with Les Parisiens is valued at €33.5m per year while his wages are currently over €600,000 per week.
PSG legend defends Neymar
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain icon, Rai has hailed Neymar for his immense talent and being a good person despite constant criticism from the media, PSG Talk reports.
The Parisians have been urged to offload the 31-year-old forward after his performance for the club dipped immediately after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Neymar’s current deal with PSG expires in 2025 but the Brazilian star has reiterated that he is keen on staying in the French capital beyond next year.
Ex-Bayern star slams Neymar
It was reported earlier on that, Philipp Lahm ripping into PSG’s attack following their disappointing exit from theUEFA Champions League.
The Parisians suffered yet another UCL setback after bowing out of the competition in the round of 16 at the hands of a ruthless Bayern Munich.
Christophe Galtier’s star trio of Lionel Messi – named FIFA Men’s Best Player earlier this month – Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe all drew blanks.
More information about what transpired is spreading after Bayern Munich fired Julian Nagelsmann. Unexpectedly, the German manager was fired by the team, and Thomas Tuchel, a former Chelsea manager, took his place.
What happened between the two?
The supposed ‘bust-up’ is said to have occurred after the second-leg Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
The publication reported that the former Liverpool forward was unhappy that Nagelsmann only brought him on late in the game against the French side.
Mane was brought on in the 82nd minute of the game, which Bayern won 2-0. He even scored a late goal but it was chalked off because he was deemed offside.
The article further stated that Nagelsmann seemed intimidated as the attacker confronted him in the dressing room over his lack of game time.
Mane has only recently returned from an injury which kept him out of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Liverpool fans remain doubtful
With the news currently making headlines, it is the Liverpool fans who remain the most skeptical about the reports, Liverpool Echo reported.
Many were surprised by the news, calling it quite uncharacteristic of the Senegalese star.
With Mane developing a reputation for being one of the nicest guys at Liverpool, fans of the Anfield club couldn’t believe he would now be involved in altercations with a manager.
Mane wants to prove himself
Sports Brief also reported that Mane wants to prove himself to the newly appointed Bayern Munich boss, Tuchel.
The Senegalese star has battled for form and consistency since his move from Liverpool at the end of last season.
With a new manager now in charge, Mane wants to prove to the club they didn’t make a mistake in signing him on.
The Ligue 1 club is reportedly reluctant to renew the Argentine’s contract after this season, so Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain appear destined to part ways at the end of the campaign.
Messi signed a two-year contract with PSG in 2021 when he transferred from Barcelona, but his time in Paris has fallen short of expectations after two consecutive losses in the UEFA Champions League.
Sportskeeda reports that PSG believes Messi’s attack-partnership with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar has harmed the team’s balance, and the club is now looking for a change.
The Parisians are said to want to build a project centred on Mbappe, whose contract expires in June 2024, because he is their most consistent performer.
Messi is currently the only member of the trio who can make way this summer, as Neymar is keen to remain with the club at least until June 2025 when his PSG contract expires.
‘Messi should stay at PSG’
Meanwhile, Messi has been advised by Argentina legend, Mario Kempes to remain at PSG to boost his chances of playing at the 2026 World Cup, Goal reports.
Kempes believes remaining in France would leave the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner better prepared to help Argentina defend their title at the next tournament. Messi’s current contract with PSG is set to expire at the end of the season and the Argentine is yet to pen a new deal with the Parisians, despite an offer reportedly being placed on the table by the Ligue 1 giants.
Messi wants European stay extended
In related coverage, Sports Brief reported on Messi being keen to remain in Europe next season as he chases anotherBallon d’Or title.
The veteran Argentine has won the prestigious award a record seven times and is looking to extend that record with another win.
The Paris Saint-Germain star is one of the favourites to win the award given his success with his country at the 2022 World Cup.
Lionel Messi’s future has been a source of contention in recent months, with the Argentine superstar reportedly yet to sign a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain despite having only a few months left on his current deal.
Barcelona has been pushing for a reunion with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who left the club in heartbreaking circumstances in 2021 after 17 seasons at Camp Nou.
According to the Daily Mirror, ex-Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has revealed that Messi is likely to return to Barcelona to finish his career.
“I think Leo Messi should retire at Barca. Barcelona is his home and he should finish his career there. My feeling is that there is a 50% chance that he will return.”
PSG are still hoping to convince the veteran to renew his contract at the club beyond 2023 while Saudi Arabia top club, Al-Hilal and MLS side, Inter Miami have also indicated their interest in signing the World Cup winner.
Messi gives Barcelona return conditions
Meanwhile, Messi reportedly wants a portion of the income Barcelona would get for the tribute being prepared for him – if he is to return to Camp Nou, Daily Post reports.
The 35-year-old was said to have given this as one of the conditions for making a sensational move back to the Catalan giants after he left in 2021 after 17 seasons.
In related coverage, Sports Brief reported that PSG could let Messi go at the end of the 2022/23 season when his contract with the Ligue 1 giants expires.
The club and the player have been in negotiations over a contract renewal but talks have since paused, with the club said to be reconsidering the deal.
PSG are unsure on whether they want to keep Messi at the end of the season and some in the club’s hierarchy believe the squad needs to change.
Didier Deschamps, the head coach of France,announced on March 22 that Kylian Mbappe will succeed Hugo Lloris and Raphael Varane, who retired with a silver medal from the 2022 World Cup.
Mbappe’s eligibility for the captaincy has been questioned on a number of occasions, but Konate called his teammate’s detractors “crazy” and said that Mbappe is an excellent leader both on and off the pitch.
The Liverpool defender told Eurosport;
“Even if I had a say in this, it would not change a thing. It’s the coach’s decision but I’m very happy. Honestly, Kylian deserves it. We’re unanimous on this. He deserves it with what he’s done at the World Cup and with PSG as well.
“He’s a very good leader, on and off the pitch. He’s a young lad who loves to laugh and have fun, nothing more. He’s a very good person. Some may think he’s arrogant. It’s something I was asked about in my club and elsewhere. To them, I say ‘Are you crazy? He’s so nice.’ Of course, he will be a good skipper.”
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His first game as skipper will be against the Dutch on Friday at the Stade de France.
The 24-year-old has been a member of the national team since his teens, making his debut as an 18-year-old against Luxembourg, and has earned 66 caps, scoring 36 goals.
Former Monaco player Mbappe was a World Cup winner in 2018, and from a small field of potential candidates for the captaincy he stood out a mile.
Long-standing skipper Lloris stepped down from national team duty after France lost to Argentina in the World Cup final, when Mbappe’s hat-trick was not enough to stave off a defeat on penalties.
France’ssquad gathered at their Clairefontaine training base on Monday ahead of the European qualifying double-header, their first gathering since returning from the Qatar 2022 near-miss.
