Lionel Messi’s PSG transfer leaves Cristiano Ronaldo’s future in doubt with French club unable to sign both legends

LIONEL MESSI’S move to Paris Saint-Germain has reportedly all but ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s chances of joining the club.

Spanish outlet AS claim PSG had originally earmarked the Portuguese as the man to replace Kylian Mbappe if he seals a move to Real Madrid.

Ronaldo has been linked with a move away from Juventus this summer following the team’s disappointing 2020-21 campaign.

PSG and former clubs Manchester United and Real Madrid have both been linked with the forward – who has just a year left on his contract.

Juve chief Pavel Nedved recently told rival clubs to forget about trying to sign Ronaldo, 36, insisting he is staying put next season.

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And it seems PSG have now cooled their interest as they try to finalise a deal for Messi as the Ligue 1 giants couldn’t afford both superstar salaries.

Yet their wage bill could be made lighter by Mbappe’s exit – amid and reports that the Frenchman wants to join Madrid.

Ronaldo meanwhile returned to Turin for pre-season training with Juventus last month after a holiday on the Mediterranean.

Fans swarmed the Old Lady’s training base to get a glimpse of the Portugal captain – who has scored 101 times in 129 appearances in Italy.

As for Messi, he is reportedly due to be unveiled as a PSG player at the Eiffel Tower on Monday, with the player flying to Paris after his emotional Sunday press conference in Barcelona.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner, 34, later revealed he will return to Barcelona one day in his first social media post since leaving the club.

SunSport previously reported that Barca had planned an audacious swoop for Ronaldo this summer to unite him with their former skipper.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk