Lionel Messi signs two-year contract with PSG after leaving Barcelona

Lionel Messi has finally signed his long-awaited contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), bringing an end to a career-long affiliation with Barcelona and ushering PSG into a new era.

The 34-year-old Argentina international signed a two-year contract with PSG on Tuesday night, with a third-season option.

“I am excited to begin a new chapter of my career at Paris Saint-Germain,” Messi said.

“Everything about the club matches my football ambitions. I know how talented the squad and the coaching staff are here. I am determined to help build something special for the club and the fans, and I am looking forward to stepping out onto the pitch at the Parc des Princes.”

Messi is expected to earn around 35 million euros ($41 million) net, according to the Associated Press news agency, which talked to a source familiar with the negotiations on the condition of anonymity before the contract was signed.

PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi share: “I am delighted that Lionel Messi has chosen to join Paris Saint-Germain and we are proud to welcome him and his family to Paris,”

“He has made no secret of his desire to continue competing at the very highest level and winning trophies, and naturally our ambition as a club is to do the same.”

Messi will wear the number 30, which he wore when he first started his professional career at Barcelona in 2004-2006, according to a video released by the club.

PSG fans flocked to Le Bourget Airport in Paris to see Messi, who was dressed in a T-shirt that said, "Ici c'est Paris" (This is Paris).

The lines are a well-known refrain from a popular fan cry at Parc des Princes, where Messi will be honored before the game against Strasbourg on Saturday night.

Police had to push back to prevent metal barriers at the airport from collapsing over as supporters pressed forward to get a closer glimpse because of the fan fervor surrounding his arrival. He was then escorted into Paris by a police posse of numerous black-clad cops on motorcycles.

As the shock of landing one of football's all-time greats gave way to pure joy, fans flocked to the stadium to catch a glimpse of Messi. They got their desire as the happy superstar waved to them briefly before beginning his medical examination.

Messi's father and agent, Jorge, had previously confirmed his son's move to PSG in an early afternoon press conference at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport.

Messi landed on a private jet with his wife and three children.

“With it all, toward a new adventure. The five together,” Antonela Roccuzzo captioned a photo of herself and her husband aboard an aircraft on Instagram.

‘Back together’

Since the entrance of Qatari sovereign wealth investment tied to the emir, PSG supporters have witnessed their club alter over the previous ten years. When Messi's contract with Barcelona expired and the Catalan club could no longer afford to keep him, PSG was one of the few clubs willing to fund a deal to recruit the six-time world player of the year.

Messi's arrival provides PSG with tremendous attacking options, as he joins France's Kylian Mbappe and Brazil's Neymar.

“Back together,” Neymar captioned a video of them hugging while playing for Barcelona on Instagram.

In 2017, PSG had to spend 222 million euros (then $261 million) to recruit Neymar from Barcelona, while Messi did not have to pay a transfer price.

After his pleas to stay at Barcelona were rejected by the Spanish league last week due to his wage not complying with financial standards, Messi became the most sought-after free agent in football history. The Catalan club is in debt to the tune of almost 1.2 billion euros ($1.4 billion).

After Barcelona announced last Thursday that Messi would be leaving the club he joined as a 13-year-old, PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino swiftly phoned his fellow Argentinian.

With Barcelona, Messi won every major award, and his tearful farewell press conference on Sunday marked the end of an era. Only Cristiano Ronaldo challenges Messi's standing as an all-time great in the modern age.

PSG will be hoping that Messi can help them not only reclaim the French title they lost to Lille last season, but also the Champions League.

Messi follows a slew of other famous names arriving, joining PSG on a free transfer this summer, including four Champions League wins and ten domestic league triumphs with Barcelona.

Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos was no longer wanted, Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum had run down his contract, and Italy's Euro 2020-winning goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had also joined when his contract with AC Milan expired.

On Tuesday, Ronaldinho, a former Barcelona and PSG player, wished Messi "many moments of delight." Between 2004 and 2008, the two had collaborated in Barcelona.

“It’s a great joy to have played in these two clubs and now see my friend wearing this shirt, may there be many moments of joy Leo!” On Twitter, Ronaldinho stated. “I’m also very happy with my partner @sergioramos on the team and a super cast, I’m feeling Champions,” he added.

The arrival of Messi, whose previous deal with Barcelona was worth a total of 555 million euros ($650 million) and was reportedly the most paid in world sport, is likely to reignite discussion about UEFA's financial fair play rules.

The laws were adopted in 2009 by European football's governing body in an attempt to limit the power of free-spending owners to buy winning results, but their performance is controversial.

Messi's star power, with 245 million Instagram followers, will be great news for Ligue 1 as a struggle rages between broadcasters over the price of the league's television rights, which are important to the clubs' budget.

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