Lionel Messi finally signed his long-awaited contract with PSG on Tuesday night to complete the move and confirm the end of a long-term relationship with FC. Barcelona sends Paris Saint-Germain into a new era.Paris Saint-Germain said in a statement that the 34-year-old Argentine star had signed a two-year contract with the option for a third season. "I am excited to start a new chapter of my career at Paris Saint-Germain," said Messi. "Everything at the club matches my football ambitions. I know how talented the team and the coaching staff are here. I am determined to help build something special for the club and the fans, and I can't wait to stepping out onto the pitch at the parc des princes. Salary details were not disclosed, but a person familiar with the negotiations previously told The Associated Press that Messi will receive about 35 million euros ($ 41 million) from his net worth annually. The person said on condition of anonymity before signing the contract. "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," said Nasser Al-Khelaifi president of Paris Saint-Germain. "He has made no secret of his desire to continue competing at the highest level and winning titles, and of course our ambition as a team is to do the same."Crowds of Paris Saint-Germain fans gathered at Paris Le Bourget airport to greet Messi, who wore a jersey with the slogan "Ici c'est Paris" ("This is Paris").The words are a longtime familiar refrain from a favored fan chant at Parc des Princes stadium, where Messi is to be presented to them before kickoff of Saturday night's game against Strasbourg. So excited was his arrival that police had to push him to prevent the airport's metal barriers from falling down as fans rushed forward to get a better view. He then traveled to Paris, escorted by a police escort, which included several officers on motorcycles, all dressed in black at the rear. When the disbelief of relegation to one of the greatest footballers of all time became a sensation, many gathered to catch a glimpse of Messi on the field. They got their wish when the smiling star briefly greeted them before undergoing a medical examination. Earlier, Messi's father and agent, Jorge, also confirmed that his son was moving to Paris Saint-Germain in a brief exchange with reporters at Josep Taradillas Barcelona's El Prat airport, before boarding his flight in afternoon.Messi arrived with his wife and his three children and boarded a private jet."With all that, towards a new adventure. All five together," said Antonella Roccuzzo on Instagram with a photo of her with her husband on the plane.PSG supporters have witnessed their club's transformation over the past decade since the arrival of sovereign investments from Qatar tied to the emir. Once Messi's contract with Barcelona expired and the Catalan club couldn't retain him, Paris Saint-Germain was one of the few clubs that was able to finance a deal to sign the world's best player six times.Messi's arrival gives Paris Saint-Germain massive attacking options, as he is linked with World Cup winner Kylian Mbappé and Brazilian forward Neymar.Neymar posted on Instagram a video of the two hugging and playing for Barcelona: "back together."While PSG had to pay 222 million euros (then $261 million) to sign Neymar from Barcelona in 2017, there was no transfer fee for Messi. Messi has become the most desiered free agent in football history after his attempts to stay at Barcelona were rejected last week by the Spanish League because his salary did not meet financial regulations, with the Catalan club heavily in debt. 1.2 billion euros (1.4 million dollars) And soon, Mauricio Pochettino, coach of Paris Saint-Germain, got in touch with his Argentine after Barcelona announced last Thursday that Messi would be leaving the club, he joined at age 13. Messi won every major title with Barcelona and was granted a emotional press conference on Sunday to mark the end of an era.Only Cristiano Ronaldo in the current era challenges Messi's status as the greatest of all time. Paris Saint-Germain is hoping not only that Messi will help the team regain the French title it lost to Lille last season, but that it will ultimately win the Champions League.If Pochettino used the 4-3-3 method, the three in front could see Messi on the right. What should be less demanding is Paris Saint-Germain's compliance with the UEFA Financial Fair Play Rules. Some flexibility in the rules has been provided due to the pandemic and the changes are due to the system that is designed to stop losses. Paris Saint-Germain President Al-Khelaifi,as President of the Association of European Clubs and a member of the UEFA Executive Committee, is involved in the process of discussing a broader update of the FFP that could once again allow a spending without control. Also Read- Olympics: Rowers Arjun and Arvind finish eleventh in lightweight Double sculls in Tokyo
La Liga may be shorn of its biggest name in Lionel Messi who left FC Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain but former Real Madrid player Fernando Morientes feels the Spanish league would not be "weakened" by the exit of the Argentine maestro.Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain's club last month is not the only high-profile exit from La Liga. In the last five seasons, players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Sergio Ramos have left Real Madrid or Barcelona."La Liga throughout its history has lost players, just like any other league... It is nothing new. Cristiano left, Neymar left, Messi and Ramos have also left," Morientes, who is also the La Liga ambassador, said during a virtual media interaction."Footballers will eventually leave, but clubs will stay. La Liga doesn't sell itself through a single player. La Liga is never going to have a problem to sell itself as a competition"."La Liga has done a spectacular job attempting to attract the best players to make it as competitive as always been."Morientes said it's an opportunity for the Spanish clubs to prove themselves at the marquee Champions League.“I would like to see a Spanish final in fact, because there are many people who think that Messi's departure has weakened the league. We have to show that this is not the case.Also Read- Lionel Messi signs two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Barcelona"In the last 10-15 years, La Liga teams have always been very competitive in all European competitions. And I'm convinced this coming season the Spanish teams will demonstrate their true potential in this competition," said the former Spanish center-forward.The 45-year-old said it was the responsibility of the clubs to change, adapt and sign great players."La Liga will continue to be a really attractive league that will bring in new players and I'm sure there are great players who will want to play here," said Morientes, who played 183 games for Real Madrid between 1997 and 2005."The Spanish league is strong enough to be attractive to everyone. I am convinced that you in India will continue to follow the league and continue to follow our teams as fans and not just as individual players."On the prospect of 'El Clasico' without Messi and Ronaldo, he said: "Real Madrid and Barcelona at the end of the day are much more than just two players. It's true that both Cristiano and Messi have made history in Spanish football."Obviously we would like to have players of this level. But we must remember that the rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona goes back many years, and Messi and Ronaldo are not always at the club." Also Read- Cristiano Ronaldo becomes all-time highest goalscorer in international football with brace against Ireland
