Lionel Messi 'will leave Paris Saint-Germain' at the end of the season when his contract expires

Lionel Messi looks certain to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season when his contract expires.

The PSG superstar appeared to be on the verge of extending his contract after Argentina's World Cup triumph but an early knockout from the Champions League has altered his mind.

Lionel Messi 'will leave Paris Saint-Germain' at the end of the season when his contract expires

There have been problems behind the scenes, with Messi causing a stir for jetting off to Saudi Arabia on an unsanctioned trip.

It led to the Parc des Princes hierarchy suspend the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner for two weeks without pay.

And Fabrizio Romano has now reported that Messi will leave PSG at the end of the season when his contract is up.

Romano adds that the Argentine's father, Jorge, who also works as his agent, communicated the decision last month.

Messi joined PSG in the summer of 2021 after leaving his beloved Barcelona, who were so cash-strapped they could not renew his deal.

He moved to Paris on a whopping £52million-a-year contract for two years and it looked like he was set to extend that deal by another season earlier in the campaign.

Lionel Messi 'will leave Paris Saint-Germain' at the end of the season when his contract expires

Lionel Messi 'will leave Paris Saint-Germain' at the end of the season when his contract expires

But PSG were sent packing in the Champions League in March, losing to Bayern Munich in the first knockout stage, the same round they were eliminated from last season.

And Messi is desperate for one last crack at winning the tournament, having won three in his career, though his last victory in the competition came in 2015.

The forward has been in fine form this campaign, scoring 20 and assisting 19 in all competitions this season.

However, he has been booed recently by PSG fans due to his lack of commitment as the months dwindle down on his contract.

Lionel Messi 'will leave Paris Saint-Germain' at the end of the season when his contract expires

A return to Barcelona could be on the cards with manager Xavi desperate to be reunited with his old pal while club president Joan Laporta is said to be trying to figure out how a move could be pulled off financially.

Failing that, a mega-money move to Saudi Arabia is also possible.

Al Ittihad, who are the biggest rivals of Cristiano Ronaldo's club Al Nassr, are reportedly prepared to pay Messi a mammoth nine-figure salary to play for them.

David Beckham's MLS side Inter Miami have also been linked with the 35-year-old, with Messi previously admitting he would like to play in the USA.

Messi said in 2021: "I always had the dream of being able to enjoy and have the experience of living in the United States, experience what the league there is like."

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