BARCELONA have been taunted ahead of their Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain after newspaper France Football put a picture of Lionel Messi wearing the Ligue 1 side’s kit on their front page.
The media outlet claims Barca’s legendary striker, 33, is edging ever closer to a Parisian switch with his contract expiring this summer.
France Football have mocked Barcelona with a fake picture of Lionel Messi in a PSG shirt
Messi is edging closer to a PSG switch with ex-Barca teammate Neymar playing a key roleCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Former Nou Camp team-mate Neymar is apparently playing a key role in convincing Messi to join him in the French capital.
And PSG are now believed to be ahead of Manchester City, who wanted to sign Messi last summer, in the race for the Argentine’s coveted signature.
Messi was desperate to quit Barcelona in 2020, and remains intent on leaving after details of his mega-contract were leaked to the public.
Messi has since reportedly threatened to sue five Barcelona insiders he believes responsible.
And it seems there is no way back for Nou Camp chiefs as they look to rectify the situation.
French giants PSG have now emerged as the leading contender for Messi, who has scored 651 goals in 757 games for Barca.
Mauricio Pochettino looks set to keep hold of star duo Neymar and Kylian Mbappe on new long-term contracts.
And he wants Messi to join them in a fearsome three-man attack as PSG and Barcelona prepare to face each other in Europe.
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France Football have now upped the ante by mocking up a picture of Messi in PSG’s kit and adorning their front page with it.
The move is sure to infuriate Barca boss Ronald Koeman, who last week slammed Angel Di Maria for saying there was a ‘big chance’ of Messi going to Paris.
The Dutch tactician fumed: “It’s disrespectful. It’s wrong to say such a thing and only heats up the Champions League game even more.
“It’s not fair. I don’t think it’s respectful towards Barcelona to talk about a player of ours.
“They talk about Leo a lot. He’s a Barcelona player, and we have a tie to play against them.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
