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      Lionel Messi ‘agrees Saudi Arabia move on HUGE contract’ with PSG star set to reignite rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo

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      LIONEL MESSI is reportedly closing in on a transfer to move to an unknown club in Saudi Arabia.And that would see the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner reignite his rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo.
      Lionel Messi could leave PSG and move to Saudi Arabia this summerCredit: AFP
      That would see him go up against Cristiano Ronaldo againCredit: Getty
      Reports last week suggested Messi could be offered a staggering £400million for just one season in the Gulf State with Al-Hilal.
      Now French media agency AFP alleges Messi, 35, has held negotiations with a club in Saudi over a “huge” contract with his Paris Saint-Germain deal expiring this summer.
      The Daily Mail claim it is worth a staggering £522million.
      But SunSport understands Messi will make no decision on his future until after the end of the Ligue 1 season.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL

      He is fully focused on securing the league title with PSG and then will assess his options.
      L’Equipe also state Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo is reluctant to move the family to Saudi and would prefer to stay in Europe.
      But AFP tweeted: “Messi’s move to Saudi a ‘done deal’ – source close to negotiations.
      “Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will play in Saudi Arabia next season under a ‘huge’ deal, a source with knowledge of the negotiations told AFP on Tuesday.”
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      The alleged move to Saudi, following Ronaldo’s late last year, would prove a massive boost for the country’s publicity and the league’s promotion.
      However, AFP remains unclear which Saudi team are trying to close in on the World Cup winner.
      The forward has also been linked with a return to Barcelona as well as MLS side Inter Miami.
      Messi’s two-year deal at the Parc des Princes expires next month, two years after his emotional free transfer from boyhood club Barcelona.
      And he looks increasingly unlikely to sign an extension in the French capital, especially after initially being suspended for two weeks for his unauthorised promo trip to Saudi.
      Remorseful Messi, who returned to training just five days later yesterday, said: “I thought we were going to have a day off after the game as always.
      “I had this trip organised and I couldn’t cancel it. I had already cancelled it before…
      “I apologise to my team-mates and I’m waiting for what the club wants to do with me.”

      Messi spent Monday night with his wife at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Paris, hours after being pictured in PSG training kit on the club’s official Twitter.
      He was crowned sportsman of the year after captaining Argentina to glory at Qatar 2022, pipping Max Verstappen, Mundo Duplantis, Rafael Nadal, Steph Curry and PSG team-mate Kylian Mbappe to the prestigious gong.
      Messi angered PSG with his unauthorised trip to Saudi ArabiaCredit: AFP
      He collected the sportsman of the year award in Paris alongside wife Antonela RoccuzzoCredit: Getty More

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      I’m a former Man Utd star and played against Lionel Messi – I was stunned when he asked me for my shirt after the game

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      LIONEL MESSI asked for Angel Gomes’ shirt at the end of a match last season, the former Manchester United starlet has revealed.Gomes, 22, quit Old Trafford for Lille in 2020 despite having been offered a new deal at United.
      Angel Gomes swapped shirts with Lionel Messi last season
      A successful loan spell at Boavista followed, before he became a regular in Lille’s side in Ligue 1.
      He first crossed paths with Messi during a match vs Paris Saint-Germain last season.
      After his side’s 5-1 home defeat, Gomes waited for the Argentine in the tunnel in order to try to get his shirt.
      Messi courteously obliged – but left the England youth international stunned when he asked for his in return.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      Speaking to Football Focus, Gomes said: “It was just like a fanboy moment, like, I can’t lie. [Messi] gave me his shirt, he took his t-shirt off and he gave it to me.
      “And for me, I was like, ‘Alright, happy days’ like, cheers, and he was like, ‘Wait, are you not giving me your shirt?’
      “And I was like, ‘What? You want my shirt?’ And he was like ‘Yeah!’ So I was like, ‘Alright.’
      “From watching him on TV, watching videos of him actually playing, to playing against him and getting his shirt, like, It was surreal for me.”
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      Gomes made ten first team appearances for Man UnitedCredit: PA
      Gomes made ten first team appearances for Manchester United before quitting for France.
      He has emerged as a key man in midfield for Lille, starting in all but two of their Ligue 1 matches this term.
      The diminutive ace has 11 England Under-21s caps, and could soon target a senior call-up.
      Messi, meanwhile, has previously admitted that he seldom asks for other players’ shirts.
      He said: “I don’t ask for shirts, I usually swap them, but I asked [Zinedine] Zidane once.
      “If there is an Argentine I swap it with him, but, unless someone asks me, I’m not asking anyone.”
      Gomes, 22, is now a key man for Lille in Ligue 1Credit: Getty More

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      Lyon 5 Montpellier 4: Ex-Arsenal star Lacazette nets FOUR goals as hosts come from 4-1 down to keep Euro hopes alive

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      EX-ARSENAL star Alexandre Lacazette was the hero as Lyon fought back from 4-1 down to beat Montpellier on Sunday.The striker scored a 100th-minute winner to leave Lyon just three points off a European place.
      Alexandre Lacazette scored four goals in Lyon’s remarkable comebackCredit: AFP
      Montpellier’s Elye Wahi also scored four goalsCredit: AFP
      Lacazette opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark but Montpellier hit back with a quick-fire double from Elye Wahi to lead at half-time.
      The 20-year-old Frenchman repeated the trick after the break to put his side well on top – but Lacazette was not finished.
      He scored six minutes later to spark a comeback with former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren also getting in on the act.
      But with ten minutes left, Montpellier were still ahead and incredibly Wahi almost scored a fifth – his effort whistling just wide of the post.
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      Lyon and Lacazette would not lie down though, and the 31-year-old equalised with a pinpoint finish following Bradley Barcola’s cutback.
      The home side piled on the pressure and came close to a goal in added time.
      But Montpellier appeared to have done enough to hang onto a point.
      That was until Lacazette was bundled over in the box, with referee Bastien Dechepy pointing to the spot after reviewing the incident on the VAR monitor.
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      Lacazette kept his cool to fire the penalty into the top corner and send the stadium into bedlam.
      The former Arsenal forward is now the top scorer in Ligue 1 this season with 24 goals. More

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      Arsenal and Wales legend Aaron Ramsey wants new Nice deal after rebuilding career in France following Juventus hell

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      AARON RAMSEY wants to extend his stay in Nice by signing a new contract.The Wales captain, 32, joined the French club on a 12-month deal last summer following a nightmare spell with Juventus.
      Aaron Ramsey has enjoyed his first season with Nice in Ligue 1Credit: Getty
      But injury-plagued Ramsey has managed to stay fit for the majority of the Ligue 1 season to make 34 appearances across all competitions for Nice. 
      The former Arsenal star said: “Things have panned out quite nicely this season.
      “We have worked hard, the coaches, medical staff and myself to make sure that I am in my best shape to go out and play.
      “That communication has been key. Managing my load throughout the week has been important. It’s been a real team effort.
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      “I feel good and that’s backed up by the amount of minutes and games I have played this year.”
      Ramsey added: “I feel very comfortable at the moment. Playing games, having opportunities and the coaches have been great to me.
      “They have given me a few days off here and there to go back and see my family. That’s been a challenge, there’s no doubt about that.
      “Football-wise, it’s a great club and it’s going in the right direction and this year we have taken a step forward so there’s no problems with that point of view.
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      “Of course, I’d like to be a part of that. I’m sure we will be in discussions at the end of the season.”
      A key factor in those talks for Ramsey will be whether his family join him on a permanent basis in the south of France.
      His wife Colleen and their three children have remained in Wales since he moved to Rangers in January 2022.
      When asked if his family would move to the Cote d’Azur, Ramsey added: “Of course, there’s a lot of decisions to make at the end of the season and what is best for me and my family. 
      “It’s not an easy thing to get that balance right. But that’s definitely something we will look into and is definitely an option.
      “We will see. Let’s finish off the season and then we can go from there.”
      While Ramsey is happy at Nice, Argentina superstar Lionel Messi is to leave the French top-flight and leaders Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of the season.
      Ramsey said: “He’s still a Paris player at the moment.
      “I can’t comment on speculation. That’s their problem and his. That’s nothing to do with me.”
      Nice, who beat Rennes 2-1 on Saturday, are eighth in the table but caretaker boss Dider Digard’s side, owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos, reached the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League.
      The Wales captain is keen to extend his stay in the south of FranceCredit: Getty
      Ramsey struggled at Juventus after a raft of injuriesCredit: Getty
      Ramsey added: “In spells this season we have seen what this team and club are capable of doing.
      “Now it’s about getting consistency over the course of a season and taking the next step of competing and fighting for Champions League places or the league. That’s the next step for this club to take.
      “The coach has come in with his staff and done a fantastic job. It’s not easy to come in mid-season and to go on the run we went on to arrive at a quarter-finals.
      “He’s been a player, he understands and he knows what is important to do and how to get the best out of the team. He’s been brilliant and there would be no arguments to see him there next season.”
      Ramsey has only scored once for Nice – back in August against Toulouse and knows his stats should be better.
      He said: “The way I play and the attacking opportunities that I like to get into, I would have liked to have scored more goals this season.
      “There’s still a few games left to get a few but on the whole I’ve had some opportunities.
      “Going forward, scoring more goals and killing the game when we have that opportunity is something we can improve on as a team. 
      “I know I have the capability of scoring goals and I want to score more.”
      Ramsey’s Wales are in talks to play South Korea in a Cardiff friendly in September before they travel to Latvia in a Euro 2024 qualifier.
      Read More on The Sun
      Wales chief executive Noel Mooney said: “We’re really close to agreeing to playing in Cardiff in September against South Korea, which Jurgen Klinsmann manages.
      “We are hoping we can announce that quite soon. We’re close but it’s not done yet.”
      Ramsey stood out at Arsenal where he began his senior careerCredit: PA More

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      Neymar ‘likes’ post slamming PSG team-mate Kylian Mbappe and posts cryptic message of his own after fans mob his house

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      NEYMAR has “liked” a post criticising his Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Kylian Mbappe, according to reports.This comes after the Brazilian’s house was mobbed by angry PSG fans this week.
      All appears to be not well between Neyma and Kylian MbappeCredit: AP
      Fans mobbed outside Neymar’s Paris home
      Furious supporters chanted “f*** off Neymar” as they gathered around his Paris home.
      The 31-year-old, as well as suspended team-mate Lionel Messi, have received plenty of criticism in the weeks following PSG’s Champions League exit.
      Pundit Ofuiclear instead tried to ship the blame for the French champions’ shortcomings on Mbappe, referring to him as the “prince”.
      He said: “This PSG team is the worst in recent years. For what? Because they renewed their prince for an extraordinary amount.”
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      Ofuiclear then added: “The same prince who caused the UCL elimination, who had an easy pass for Neymar but made a pass to the keeper against Bayern. He thinks he’s god now.”
      Neymar’s Instagram account is claimed by L’Equipe to have liked the post in which Ofuiclear blasted Mbappe.
      It is also claimed to have liked a post suggesting Neymar and Messi were happier during their Barcelona days.
      Neymar himself took to Instagram to post a cryptic message.
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      He wrote: “Don’t let people put you in their storm, put them in your peace.”
      Neymar is currently understood to be rehabbing his ankle injury in Brazil, having suffered the season-ending issue during the dramatic 4-3 win over Lille in February.
      The 124-cap attacker played well when fit this season, scoring 18 goals and assisting a further 17 in 29 appearances in all competitions.
      He is contracted until 2025, but has been linked with a move to Manchester United.
      Should Sheikh Jassim’s bid to buy the Red Devils be successful, he could target Neymar as his first signing.
      Police have been stationed outside Neymar’s homeCredit: EPA More

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      25 greatest football stadiums around world, from the Bernabeu to San Mames… but Tottenham’s £1bn ground down in 21

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      ATMOSPHERE, capacity and the quality of the toilets are all taken into consideration when fans argue about the best stadiums in the world.And a poll to determine which ground holds that honour has revealed some surprising results.
      Boca Juniors’ La Bombonera home in Buenos Aires is one of the most iconic stadiums in the worldCredit: Getty
      Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium is also one of the most well knownCredit: Getty
      Tottenham splashed out a staggering £1BILLION on their new North London home which currently ranks just 21st despite being the most expensive stadium ever built.
      But surprisingly, it’s a stadium in Egypt that sits in the No 1 spot.
      Here SunSport reveals the results of a poll conducted by Spanish outlet Marca in 2020.
      1 CAIRO INTERNATIONAL STADIUM
      Home team: Al Ahly
      Capacity: 75,000
      Location: Cairo, Egypt
      Cairo International StadiumCredit: Getty – Contributor
      2 SANTIAGO BERNABEU
      Home team: Real Madrid
      Capacity: 81,044
      Location: Madrid, Spain
      Santiago Bernabeu stadiumCredit: Getty – Contributor
      3 NOU CAMP
      Home team: Barcelona
      Capacity: 99,354
      Location: Barcelona, Spain
      Nou CampCredit: Getty
      4 MOUNUMENTAL DE CHILE
      Home team: Colo Colo
      Capacity: 47,347
      Location: Santiago, Chile
      Monumental de ChileCredit: Getty
      5 SAN MAMES
      Home team: Athletic Bilbao
      Capacity: 53,289
      Location: Bilbao, Spain
      San Mames stadiumCredit: Getty – Contributor
      6 WANDA METROPOLITANO
      Home team: Atletico Madrid
      Capacity: 68,456
      Location: Madrid, Spain
      Wanda MetropolitanoCredit: Getty – Contributor
      7 ANFIELD
      Home team: Liverpool
      Capacity: 54,074
      Location: Liverpool, England
      AnfieldCredit: Getty
      8 LA BOMBONERA
      Home team: Boca Juniors
      Capacity: 49,000
      Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
      Boca Juniors’ La BomoneraCredit: Getty
      9 SIGNAL IDUNA PARK
      Home team: Borussia Dortmund
      Capacity: 81,360
      Location: Dortmund, Germany
      WestfalenstadionCredit: Getty – Contributor
      10 MOHAMED V
      Home team: Raja and Wydad Casablanca
      Capacity: 52,000
      Location: Casablanca, Morocco
      Mohamed V Stadium – CasablancaCredit: Africa Cup of Nations

      11 STADE OLYMPIQUE DE RADES
      Home team: Tunisian national team
      Capacity: 60,000
      Location: Rades, Tunisia
      Stade Olympique de RadesCredit: Getty
      12 WEMBLEY
      Home team: England national team
      Capacity: 90,000
      Location: London, England
      Wembley StadiumCredit: Alamy
      13 OLD TRAFFORD
      Home team: Manchester United
      Capacity: 76,000
      Location: Manchester, England
      Old TraffordCredit: PA:Press Association
      14 MARACANA
      Home team: Brazil national team, Flamengo, Fluminense
      Capacity: 78,838
      Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
      Maracana stadiumCredit: Getty
      15 SAN SIRO
      Home team: AC Milan, Inter Milan
      Capacity: 80,018
      Location: Milan, Italy
      San SiroCredit: Getty
      16 ALLIANZ ARENA
      Home team: Bayern Munich
      Capacity: 75,024
      Location: Munich, Germany
      Allianz ArenaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      17 STADE VELODROME
      Home team: Marseille
      Capacity: 67,394
      Location: Marseille, France
      Stade VelodromeCredit: Getty – Contributor
      18 ESTADIO DA LUZ
      Home team: Benfica
      Capacity: 65,647
      Location: Lisbon, Portugal
      Estadio da Luz, LisbonCredit: Getty
      19 JOHAN CRUYFF ARENA
      Home team: Ajax
      Capacity: 54,990
      Location: Amsterdam, Holland
      Johan Cruyff arenaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      20 MOUNUMENTAL
      Home team: River Plate
      Capacity: 70,074
      Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
      Monumental, Buenos AiresCredit: AFP
      21 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STADIUM
      Home team: Tottenham Hotspur
      Capacity: 62,303
      Location: London, England
      Tottenham Hotspur StadiumCredit: Getty
      22 ESTADIO AZTECA
      Home team: Mexico national team, Club America and Cruz Azul
      Capacity: 87,523
      Location: Mexico City, Mexico
      Estadio AztecaCredit: Getty
      23 SOCCER CITY STADIUM
      Home team: South Africa national team, Kaizer Chiefs
      Capacity: 94,736
      Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
      Soccer City StadiumCredit: Getty – Contributor
      24 CELTIC PARK
      Home team: Celtic
      Capacity: 60,411
      Location: Glasgow, Scotland
      Celtic ParkCredit: PA:Press Association
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      25 AZADI STADIUM
      Home team: Iran national team
      Capacity: 78,116
      Location: Tehran, Iran
      Azadi StadiumCredit: Getty More

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      Why has Lionel Messi been suspended by PSG?

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      LIONEL MESSI has been dealt a two-week suspension by his current club Paris Saint-Germain.The football legend’s future at the French giants has been up in the air in recent months.
      Lionel Messi in action for PSG during their 3-1 loss to LorientCredit: REUTERS
      The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s contract with PSG expires at the end of the season.
      And the Parisians are reportedly choosing not to offer the Argentinan a new deal at the Parc des Princes.
      Why has Lionel Messi been suspended by PSG?
      The World Cup winner has been banned by the Ligue 1 champions for an untheorized trip to Saudi Arabia.
      He reportedly did ask PSG representatives for permission to go on the trip to the Middle East.
      READ MORE IN LIONEL MESSI
      But the club’s hierarchy did not give the former Barcelona man permission meaning he will be fined two weeks’ wages and suspended for two games.
      Messi’s two-gam ban will mean he will miss PSG’s matches against Troyes and Ajaccio.
      The French giants are currently five points clear at the top of Ligue 1 with five games remaining.
      What did the tourism minister of Saudi Arabia tweet about Lionel Messi’s visit?
      Ahmed Al-Khateeb (tourism minister of Saudi Arabia) tweeted: “I am happy to welcome Messi and his family to Saudi to enjoy the magical tourist destinations and authentic experiences,”
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      “We welcome visitors from all around the world to experience a unique trip to Saudi Arabia and its hospitality.”
      Lionel Messi pictured during his trip to Saudi ArabiaCredit: PA
      Lionel Messi and family on their trip to Saudi ArabiaCredit: PA
      The forward works as an ambassador for the country’s tourism board.
      He agreed a huge £25million deal to promote Saudi Arabia last May but had only visited once prior to this week.
      Messi shared a picture of his trip to the Gulf State on Instagram alongside a caption that reads: “Who thought Saudi has so much green?
      “I love to explore its unexpected wonders whenever I can. #visitsaudi.”
      Saudi side Al Hilal have also been linked with a mind-boggling £350million-a-year move for Messi. More

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      PSG ‘suspend Lionel Messi for two weeks’ after striker ‘skipped training to fly to Saudi Arabia without permission’

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      LIONEL MESSI has reportedly been slapped with a two-week suspension by Paris Saint-Germain.The Argentine superstar allegedly skipped training to fly to Saudi Arabia without permission.
      Lionel Messi has been suspended by PSG for skipping training without permissionCredit: AFP
      The forward works as an ambassador for the country’s tourism board.
      He agreed a £25million deal to promote Saudi Arabia last May but had only visited once prior to this week.
      Messi jetted out to the Gulf State and was pictured with his wife and children.
      But he is said to have done so without getting approval from PSG manager Christophe Galtier or sporting director Luis Campos.
      READ MORE ON LIONEL MESSI
      And RMC Sport reports he has been handed the two-week ban with immediate effect due to a breach of contract – while L’Equipe state the club are so furious they have decided not to extend Messi’s contract.
      It means Messi will miss the matches against Troyes this Sunday and Ajaccio on May 13.
      SunSport has contacted Messi’s representatives for comment.

      The PSG squad was initially expected back in for training on Tuesday.
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      But the unexpected 3-1 defeat to Lorient on Sunday meant the Ligue 1 leaders were hauled back in for an extra session on Monday – and given Tuesday off instead.
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      However, Messi had already organised his trip to Riyadh after previously having to postpone two planned visits before the latest rescheduling.
      Messi, 35, shared a snap of his trip to Saudi Arabia on Instagram alongside a caption that reads: “Who thought Saudi has so much green?
      “I love to explore its unexpected wonders whenever I can. #visitsaudi.”
      Messi has scored 20 goals and assisted 19 in 37 matches this season.
      But with his contract up at the end of the campaign, he could in theory have just three PSG matches left before signing for a new club.
      An emotional return to Barcelona could be on the cards, if the finances of a deal can be worked out with the Nou Camp giants.
      Although Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie reportedly rejected pay cuts to help Barca fund the transfer.
      And that could see the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner join David Beckham’s Inter Miami or even follow Cristiano Ronaldo’s footsteps to the Middle East. More