PSG 'Deny' Messi Contract Request

With Lionel Messi’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly denied the Argentine his latest contract demands.

According to RMC Sport, the 35-year-old wants a contract in France similar to that of Kylian Mbappe, who is currently the club’s highest earner, but the French giants are reluctant to offer the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner such an exorbitant deal.

It appears that an agreement had already been reached in principle between Les Parisiens and Messi prior to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, but, after his and Argentina’s triumph in the Gulf, the attacker’s financial demands have skyrocketed and now an extension seems complicated. PSG's elimination at the hands of Bayern Munich in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League has not helped either, with Messi and his entourage planning to think extensively about where he will play beyond this season when his contract with at the Parc des Princes comes to an end in June. 

Neymar's future is still up in the air, with the club reportedly eager to offload him despite his contract running until 2027. Meanwhile, Mbappe's future also remains uncertain, although the record Ligue 1 champions count on him to lead their project for the foreseeable future.

It is doubtful whether Christophe Galtier will stay put after last week's Champions League elimination and Messi is concerned about what will happen in the future, as the club will need to strengthen their team.