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      Lionel Messi LEAKED images and video show former Barcelona man in PSG kit wearing No 30 and doing kick-ups on pitch

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      LIONEL MESSI has finally been pictured in a Paris Saint-Germain kit with LEAKED footage circulating on social media.The ex-Barcelona icon is closing in on a blockbuster free transfer to the French giants, with the deal expected to be announced soon.
      Leaked images show Lionel Messi in a full PSG kit ahead of his blockbuster move
      The former Barcelona star was doing kick-ups at the Parc des Princes
      Messi will wear the No 30 shirt – his first shirt at Barcelona
      The latest twist in Tuesday’s mammoth Messi saga have now seen images and video leaked online.
      They show Messi, 34, in full PSG kit – and sporting the No 30 shirt – doing kick-ups on the Parc des Princes pitch.
      It is not clear where the footage originated, although it is likely someone close to the deal leaked them.
      Shortly after the video was leaked, PSG put out their own video of Messi wearing kit and at the stadium.
      Messi’s arrival was announced on Tuesday afternoon after a frantic and fascinating day in European football.
      The six-time Ballon d’Or winner will join on a two-year deal, with the option of a third, that includes a £25MILLION signing-on fee on top of his take-home wages of £650,000 per week.
      That totals £92.6m over two years.
      PSG confirmed the signing by sharing a teasing video on social media, containing Messi’s Argentina shirt and his six Ballons d’Or trophies.
      Passionate PSG supporters arrived at Paris-Le Bourget airport on Tuesday morning to catch a glimpse of the footballing legend.
      There were also plenty of fans at the club’s Parc des Princes stadium and on the streets of Paris as Messi appeared in the French capital, wearing a ‘Ici c’est Paris’ – This is Paris – shirt.
      The four-time Champions League winner waved to his adoring supporters from a window at the airport.
      A later video emerged showing him being convoyed around Paris with a massive police escort that looked more fitting for a president than a footballer.
      Timeline: Messi joins PSG

      10.56am: Barcelona begin to remove a mural of Messi at the Nou Camp ahead of his departure.
      11.00am: Rumours on social media suggest Messi will fly from Barcelona to Paris on Tuesday to complete a free transfer.
      11.53am: Messi’s father Jorge reportedly confirms the player will sign for PSG on Tuesday.
      12.00pm: Dozens of PSG fans arrive at Le Bourget airport in Paris to greet Messi after hearing the news.
      12.21pm: Messi and his family arrive at El Prat airport in Barcelona to fly to the French capital.
      12.23pm: PSG fans and the press begin to arrive at the club’s Parc des Princes stadium.
      1.07pm: Dozens of police officers are spotted at Le Bourget as numbers grow to welcome Messi.
      1.53pm: Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo shares a photo of the couple on a plane heading to Paris.
      2.20pm: Brazilian superstar Neymar announces Messi will sign for PSG on Instagram.
      2.40pm: PSG confirms the signing of Messi.
      2.57pm: Messi waves to fans at Le Bourget.
      3.29pm: PSG confirm a press conference will be held on Wednesday, August 11 at 10am.
      3.32pm: A huge motorcade of police cars and motorbikes escort Messi across Paris
      8.48pm: Leaked images and video circulates of Messi in a full PSG kit doing kick-ups at the Parc des Princes 

      PSG confirmed the signing via a social media video
      A picture of Messi’s No10 Argentina shirt was included in the video
      Lionel Messi earlier landed in Paris with his wife AntonelaCredit: Instagram @antonelaroccuzzo
      The superstar arrived at El Prat airport in Barcelona on Tuesday morningCredit: Reuters
      Paris Saint-Germain fans flocked to the airport to welcome MessiCredit: EPA
      Barcelona have taken down a mural of Messi at the Nou CampCredit: Reuters

      Messi and his dad Jorge were seen passing through El Prat airport in Barcelona as they headed to Paris.
      Jorge had reportedly confirmed the transfer on Tuesday morning, telling the press: “Leo’s going to sign with PSG today.”
      Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo then posted a snap of her alongside her husband on board a jet.
      Fans also turned up at Le Bourget airport on Sunday after rumours the player was due to land in France circulated on social media.
      But they have finally gotten the chance to say bonjour to Messi and he is expected to be officially unveiled at a press conference on Wednesday at 10am (UK time).
      Messi said adios to his adoring Barcelona supporters in an emotional press conference on Sunday.
      Speculation of a shock u-turn was quashed when the Spanish giants began removing a mural of their former captain at the Nou Camp.
      Cash-strapped Barca released Messi after a salary cap ensured the LaLiga club couldn’t offer him a new deal, despite the player wanting to stay.
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      Jorge Messi reportedly confirmed the transfer on Tuesday morningCredit: AFP
      Messi arrived at the airport with his familyCredit: Alamy
      The Argentine superstar travelled with luggageCredit: AFP
      There was heavy security at Le Bourget airport ahead of Messi’s arrivalCredit: Reuters
      Fans were also waiting at PSG’s stadiumCredit: AFP
      Spanish law ensured Messi couldn’t play for free, with new contracts required to be a minimum of 50 per cent of the previous wage.
      And another Spanish law will deny Barcelona the chance to retire the player’s famous No10 shirt following his departure.
      Earlier this week, Messi gave a farewell press conference in Barcelona.
      Fighting back tears, a heartbroken Messi said: “I was convinced to stay here at Barcelona.
      “This is my home, our home.
      “I wanted to stay at Barca and it was the plan… and today I’ve to say goodbye after my entire life here.”

      He added: “My new contract was done. All done. I wanted to stay and when I come back from holidays, it was done.
      “Then it’s how [Joan] Laporta explained it. At the last minute, with everything with La Liga, it couldn’t happen.
      “I’m really sad because I didn’t want to leave this club. I love Barcelona and I wanted to stay, my contract was ready.
      “I did everything in my possibility to stay.”
      PSG confirm Lionel Messi has signed a two-year PSG deal after leaving Barcelona More

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      Kylian Mbappe transfer to Real Madrid ‘closer than ever’ as PSG ‘can’t afford three superstars including Lionel Messi’

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE’S transfer to Real Madrid is ‘closer than ever’, according to reports.Paris Saint-Germain are on course to hand Lionel Messi a mammoth contract after his emotional Barcelona exit.
      Kylian Mbappe could make a dramatic transfer to Real Madrid this summerCredit: Getty
      And while that had fans dreaming of one of the greatest attacks ever alongside Neymar, they may not be so lucky.
      According to AS in Spain, there is no way the French giants can afford all three superstars at the same time.
      The report adds PSG need to make at least £152million in player sales this summer to balance the books for Financial Fair Play, even before Messi signs.
      Messi will become the top earner on £650,000 per week, Neymar second on £490,000 and Mbappe third with his £310,000-per-week wages.
      That totals almost £1.5m per week on just three players – plus a further six are on at least £200,000.
      With Neymar signing a new contract in May and Messi only just arriving, Mbappe is the obvious choice to depart – especially with the Frenchman out of contract next summer.
      Real Madrid are yet to contact PSG regarding a transfer – because Florentino Perez does not want to antagonise the Qatari board at the Parc des Princes before they can secure the deal.
      The Spanish side will wait until Messi’s arrival is confirmed in the coming days.
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      Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti knows it will not take a record-breaking contract offer to convince Mbappe to come, instead confident the lure of becoming the latest Galactico will be enough of an incentive.
      Although the Bernabeu giants are tight financially, they believe they could get a deal done, the report adds.
      David Alaba has essentially taken on the wages freed up by Sergio Ramos’ departure and they still have a number of sellable assets in the squad including Martin Odegaard and Luka Jovic.
      Carlo Ancelotti is keen to bolster his attacking options at the BernabeuCredit: Getty
      Reports in Spain suggest the mega transfer is ‘possible’ and ‘closer than ever’
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      It’s hard to be unmoved by Messi’s tears after Barca exit, but he almost single-handedly brought the club to its knees

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      DON’T cry for me, Barcelona.It would need a heart of stone not to be moved by the sight of Lionel Messi struggling to keep his emotions in check as he contemplated the end of a football era.
      Lionel Messi in tears as he left Barcelona – but his wages almost brought the club to its kneesCredit: Getty
      Nevertheless, it’s hard to have too much sympathy for the player whose wages have almost single-handedly brought one of the world’s greatest clubs to its knees.
      Not to mention providing the catalyst for the despicable European Super League project.
      So maybe the finest player of all-time should spare us his crocodile tears.
      Because the reality is that Messi has effectively bankrupted Barcelona and driven football to the brink of a financial abyss.
      When the Spanish newspaper El Mundo published the full details of Messi’s Nou Camp contract back in February, the whole world gasped in astonishment.
      It turned out that it was costing the club a ludicrous £2.35million per WEEK to keep the Argentine superstar in the style to which he has become accustomed once they had paid all his tax, image rights and various other bonuses.
      No wonder they reported a £405m loss in the last financial year and have debts in excess of £1billion.
      So when 34-year-old Messi announced he had agreed to a 50 per cent pay cut to extend his stay, he wasn’t exactly doing them a favour.
      And even that ‘discount’ wouldn’t have been enough to comply with LaLiga’s financial fair play rules which have also shackled the mighty Real Madrid.
      That is why the Spanish giants are refusing to give up on the idea of the breakaway Super League, which briefly threatened to tear football apart.
      Their presidents were reported to have met with Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli this week to discuss ways to revive a scheme which was hastily abandoned by their co-conspirators earlier this year.
      Their desperation is borne out of the need to find a new way of financing their out-of-control wage bills.
      “Clubs like Manchester City, PSG and Chelsea are financially doped and infecting the rest.”LaLiga president Javier Tebas
      Not that Messi needs to worry about that.
      He’s off to Paris Saint-Germain, where he will be slumming it on £650,000-a-week alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
      It is no wonder Barca are trying to block the move on the basis that PSG’s FFP ratio is even worse than theirs.
      LaLiga president Javier Tebas recently claimed: “Clubs like Manchester City, PSG and Chelsea are financially doped and infecting the rest.”
      It’s hard to argue with that assessment when they are breaking the bank to sign the likes of Messi, Jack Grealish and Romelu Lukaku.
      Fortunately for PSG their president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, is also the new chairman of the European Club Association, who are working to update Uefa’s FFP regulations.
      Meanwhile, Barca and Real are doing everything in their power to prevent LaLiga selling off ten per cent of its commercial rights to an investment fund for £2.3bn.
      For though it might benefit each top-flight team to the tune of £210m, it could also threaten a Spanish TV deal which is currently massively skewed in favour of the two biggest clubs.
      The bottom line is that absolutely nobody comes out of this squalid affair smelling of roses.
      Messi has undoubtedly given Barca the greatest years of its life. But what a price they have paid.

      HEADING FOR THE HISTORY BIN
      IF YOU are at a loose end today, can I recommend you go and watch Keith Houchen’s 1987 Cup final winner, Alan Shearer’s goal against Bayer Leverkusen and Duncan Ferguson’s 2005 effort against Manchester United.
      Because the way things are going the flying header will soon be consigned to the dustbin of history.
      New guidelines issued by the FA, Premier League and EFL recommend that players should be restricted to ten ‘higher force headers’ per week in training.
      It’s a worthy move aimed at reducing the risk of early-onset dementia.
      But I’m not sure how the authorities will enforce the rule and it does not seem to apply during matches — for now.
      Still, it’s a great excuse for teams conceding a last-minute winner from a set-piece.
      “Sorry boss, I couldn’t head it clear because I’d used up my weekly allowance.”
      Alan Shearer’s flying header against Bayer LeverkusenCredit: PA:Press Association
      KENN YOU DELIVER?
      TRACK CYCLING royalty Jason and Laura Kenny have extended their Olympic gold medal haul to 12 — two more than the entire 1.36billion population of India have so far managed.
      If and when the golden couple finally decide to call it a day, there’s a lucrative career awaiting with Just Eat.
      Imagine how many takeaways they could deliver while ignoring traffic lights and peddling the wrong way down one-way streets.
      Track cycling royalty Jason and Laura KennyCredit: Rex
      JUR HELL
      LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp is understandably holding his breath as he awaits the results of Andy Robertson’s scan.
      The Reds left-back suffered an ankle injury during Sunday’s 1-1 friendly draw against Athletic Bilbao and fears he could miss his first Premier League match for more than a year.
      And if Klopp thought that replacing Virgil van Dijk was a tough ask last season, coming up with a stand-in for Robertson will be even more of a challenge.
      It was Liverpool’s lack of options which wrecked their title defence last time out.
      Klopp will pray that Robertson is only a short-term absentee.
      Andrew Robertson suffered an ankle injury during Sunday’s 1-1 friendly draw against Athletic BilbaoCredit: Getty

      BORN TO RUN
      SEEING rock idol Bruce Springsteen’s kid Jessica win a showjumping silver last week, I couldn’t help thinking that she had missed a trick.
      Surely she was born to run.
      Jessica Springsteen of the US riding Don Juan van de Donkoeve in the equestrian’s jumping team finalsCredit: AFP More

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      PSG fans crowd airport after fake report of Lionel Messi arriving in Paris to complete transfer on Sunday night

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN fans crowded an airport on Sunday night – after fake reports Lionel Messi was due to land in the French capital.Hundreds of supporters gathered at the gates of the Le Bourget airport hoping to catch a glimpse of their new hero with phones ready to capture the moment.
      PSG fans hoped to see Lionel Messi at Paris’ Le Bourget airport on Sunday night
      The mass group were left disappointed because the forward was still in Barcelona
      Footage from Marca also showed the large group bustling along the street chanting ‘Messi’.
      But they were left waiting – because Messi was still in Barcelona.
      The Argentine great, 34, conducted a press conference with his boyhood club on Sunday lunchtime.
      He was in tears as he explained he did not want to leave the Nou Camp – but was forced out with Barca’s financial woes.
      It means the six-time Ballon d’Or winner is now a free agent and open to offers.
      Paris Saint-Germain look to be in pole position to sign him with a medical imminent.
      They expect to land the Argentine on a two-year contract – with reported wages of £570,000 per week.
      Marca add Messi and his entourage will fly to Paris early this week – and could even land in France today.
      That would see PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino secure free signings for Messi, Sergio Ramos, Georginio Wijnaldum and Gianluigi Donnarumma in the same transfer window.
      And Messi would line up in one of the most devastating attacks of all time alongside ex-Barca team-mate Neymar and superstar Frenchman Kylian Mbappe.
      Neymar’s sister appeared to confirm the deal was done by welcoming Messi’s wife Antonela on Instagram.
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      Rafaella commented in Portuguese: “Welcome beautiful!!!!” as they look to be reunited in Paris.
      Barca’s record scorer told the media on Sunday afternoon: “Paris Saint-Germain is a possibility, yes.
      “At the moment nothing is confirmed. I received lot of calls after Barcelona statement. We’re talking about it.”
      Messi held a press conference at the Nou Camp on Sunday lunchtimeCredit: Getty
      Preparations are underway in Paris for the imminent arrival of the Argentine legendCredit: AFP
      PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium could stage the unveiling this weekCredit: AFP
      Fans also congregated outside the Messi family home in Barcelona to say their goodbyesCredit: AFP

      Lionel Messi breaks down in tears and handed tissue by wife Antonela as he insists he’s ‘not ready’ to leave Barcelona More

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      Man Utd ‘interested in Lionel Messi free transfer’ and will try to pip PSG to deal for Barcelona legend

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are interested in making a shock free transfer swoop for Lionel Messi, according to reports.The Barcelona great, 34, made an emotional exit from the Nou Camp on Sunday.
      Lionel Messi is a free agent following his departure from Barcelona after 20 yearsCredit: Getty
      Despite agreeing a new contract at his boyhood club, LaLiga rules prevented the terms being signed.
      It means the six-time Ballon d’Or winner is now a free agent and open to offers.
      And according to Duncan Castles, United may put a contract on the table for Messi and his family to consider.
      It is thought the Red Devils are crunching the numbers to work out if they can afford a deal.
      The club have already spent £73million on Jadon Sancho and a further £34.2m on Raphael Varane this summer.
      However, the Old Trafford side face plenty of strong competition for Messi’s signature.
      Paris Saint-Germain look to be in pole position to sign him with a medical imminent.
      They expect to land the Argentine on a two-year contract – with reported wages of £570,000 per week.
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      That would see Mauricio Pochettino secure free signings for Messi, Sergio Ramos, Georginio Wijnaldum and Gianluigi Donnarumma in the same transfer window.
      And Messi would line up in one of the most devastating attacks of all time alongside ex-Barca team-mate Neymar and superstar Frenchman Kylian Mbappe.
      Manchester City, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and even Tottenham were also thought to be considering offers for Messi but it would take something special to prevent PSG winning the race.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already added Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane to his squad this summerCredit: AFP

      Lionel Messi breaks down in tears and handed tissue by wife Antonela as he insists he’s ‘not ready’ to leave Barcelona More

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

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      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.
      Paris Saint-Germain have cooled their interest in signing Juventus star Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Getty
      PSG are closing in on a deal to sign Lionel Messi on a free transfer from BarcelonaCredit: AFP
      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.
      PREMIER WIN! Get crazy 20/1 odds on Salah scoring ONE goal in August
      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.
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      Lionel Messi offered two-year deal by PSG and expected to complete free transfer to French giants after Barcelona exit More

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      Lionel Messi confirms Neymar and PSG stars jokingly begged him ‘come to Paris’ during Ibiza holiday

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      LIONEL MESSI confirmed Neymar and PSG stars jokingly told him ‘come to Paris’ as they holidayed in Ibiza. Messi fuelled speculation of a move to the French capital when he posed alongside Neymar, Angel Di Maria, Leandro Paredes and Marco Verratti.
      Lionel Messi confirmed Neymar and PSG stars jokingly told him ‘come to Paris’Credit: Rex Features
      And the Argentine legend admitted the PSG players did their best to convince him to join them in France.
      Messi, 34, said: “Coincidence? Completely. I met them in Ibiza, we met them one day, got together and we’re friends.
      “I was going to meet Paredes and Di Maria. Ney called me and said, ‘Do you want to see me?”  
      “We uploaded the photo in that moment because we were having a good time and there was a joke at the time, they kept telling me, ‘Come to Paris, come to Paris’.
      “It was just a joke, that was all.”
      Messi is international team-mates with Di Maria, 33, as well as Paredes, 27, and also spent four years with Neymar, 29, at Barcelona.
      And the pair are close to linking up again with Messi closing in on a move to PSG after his sensational Nou Camp exit.
      Messi broke down in tears as he bid farewell to his boyhood club of 20 years at a press conference.
      And it was there he confirmed interest from PSG, but admitted his future is not yet finalised.

      Messi said: “It is a possibility, but as of today there is nothing agreed with anyone.
      “When the statement came out, I had many calls, various clubs were interested. But I have nothing closed yet. But we are talking.”
      According to ESPN, Messi’s move to PSG is all-but agreed and subject to a medical ‘tonight or tomorrow’ before signing the deal.
      It is believed French giants PSG have offered the Argentine legend a two-year deal, with the option to extend it by a further 12 months.
      Barca had confirmed in a statement that ‘economic and structural obstacles’ had prevented a deal being ratified by LaLiga.
      It meant they were unable to keep hold of their most prized possession, with PSG now ready to pounce.
      Messi had pushed to leave only one year ago, but after a change of hierarchy at the club, he was convinced to stay.
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      And he had agreed to extend his contract this month until Barca’s efforts were scuppered by LaLiga due to financial fair play rules.
      Messi cried as he thanked supporters, leaving the club with 672 goals in 778 appearances.
      He said: “I’m so grateful for the love people have shown me these years.”
      Lionel Messi offered two-year deal by PSG and expected to complete free transfer to French giants after Barcelona exit More

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      Lionel Messi confirms PSG transfer is a ‘possibility’ amid claims he is having medical TONIGHT

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      LIONEL MESSI confirmed moving to PSG is a ‘possibility’ but also has several other offers after his emotional Barcelona exit. Messi broke down in tears as he bid farewell to his boyhood club of 20 years at a press conference.
      Lionel Messi confirmed moving to PSG is a ‘possibility’Credit: Getty
      Leo Messi: “The pic with Paris Saint-Germain was a coincidence, completely. I was there with my friends, we decided to take a photo… they told me: ‘Come to Paris!’ but it was just a joke, we were on holiday”. 🔴🇫🇷 #PSG #Messi pic.twitter.com/aKuh0LXQEd— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 8, 2021

      And it was there he confirmed interest from PSG, but admitted his future is not yet finalised.
      Messi, 34, said: “It is a possibility, but as of today there is nothing agreed with anyone.
      “When the statement came out, I had many calls, various clubs were interested. But I have nothing closed yet. But we are talking.”
      According to ESPN, Messi’s move to PSG is all-but agreed and subject to a medical ‘tonight or tomorrow’ before signing the deal.
      The iconic forward fuelled speculation of a transfer to PSG when he was pictured on holiday with Neymar, Angel Di Maria, Leandro Paredes and Marco Verratti.
      But Messi said: “Coincidence? Completely. I met them in Ibiza, we met them one day, got together and we’re friends.
      “I was going to meet Paredes and Di Maria. Ney called me and said, ‘Do you want to see me?”  

      “We uploaded the photo in that moment because we were having a good time and there was a joke at the time, they kept telling me, ‘Come to Paris, come to Paris’.
      “It was just a joke, that was all.”
      With Messi unable to extend his Nou Camp contract, amid financial complications, he remains a free agent.
      And it is believed French giants PSG have offered the Argentine legend a two-year deal, with the option to extend it by a further 12 months.
      Barca had confirmed in a statement that ‘economic and structural obstacles’ had prevented a deal being ratified by LaLiga.
      It meant they were unable to keep hold of their most prized possession, with PSG now ready to pounce.
      Messi had pushed to leave only one year ago, but after a change of hierarchy at the club, he was convinced to stay.

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      And he had agreed to extend his contract this month until Barca’s efforts were sounded out by LaLiga due to financial fair play rules.
      Messi cried as he thanked supporters, leaving the club with 672 goals in 778 appearances.
      He said: “I’m so grateful for the love people have shown me these years.”

      Lionel Messi offered two-year deal by PSG and expected to complete free transfer to French giants after Barcelona exit More