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      Lionel Messi’s dad breaks silence on rumours of staggering £600MILLION offer to quit PSG and move to Saudi Arabia

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      LIONEL MESSI’S father Jorge has blasted a trio of stories surrounding his son’s future as “fake news”.The Argentine’s contract at Paris Saint-Germain is set to expire at the end of the season.
      Lionel Messi’s PSG contract is set to expire at the end of the seasonCredit: Rex
      Messi was previously believed to have verbally committed to staying at Parc des Princes for another year.
      Recent reports, however, have linked the 35-year-old with a move away.
      The former Barcelona star has continued to be linked with MLS franchise Inter Miami.
      And a further report this week claimed that Messi had received a £600million offer to move to Saudi Arabia.
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      His father Jorge was spotted in Riyadh, adding fuel to the fire in some quarters.
      But the 65-year-old has taken to Instagram to slam rumours – listing them on his story and dismissing each one as “fake news”.
      In addition to the Saudi move, Jorge also claimed it is untrue that PSG have refused to meet Messi’s contract demands.
      And he denied claims that his son left a PSG training session early on Tuesday due to a falling out with boss Christophe Galtier.
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      According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Messi wants assurances over PSG’s project before agreeing to stay.
      The World Cup winner has made 65 appearances for PSG since joining from Barcelona in 2021.
      He is on course to lift his second Ligue 1 title in the French capital, but has failed to add another Champions League to his collection.
      Galtier’s men crashed out 3-0 on aggregate to Bayern Munich in the round of 16.
      Last month, Jorge poured cold water on a potential return to Barcelona.
      He told reporters at Barcelona airport: “I don’t think he will return [to Barca]. The conditions are not there.”
      Messi’s dad Jorge has addressed his son’s futureCredit: AFP More

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      PSG fans plan anti-Lionel Messi protest against Rennes as ultras release warning statement

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN ultras have announced they are planning a protest against Lionel Messi.Messi has struggled to replicate his Barcelona success ever since his move to PSG from Catalonia in 2021 after 17 glittering years at the Nou Camp.
      Lionel Messi has struggled to elevate Paris Saint-Germain in the last two yearsCredit: Rex
      Paris Saint-Germain are planning to protest against Lionel MessiCredit: Rex
      The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has also been unable to elevate the reigning French champions this season, even after he led Argentina to World Cup glory in the winter.
      Tensions are running high after Christophe Galtier’s men were knocked out of the Champions League’s Round of 16 by Bayern Munich.
      Messi, who was tasked with leading PSG to Champions League glory, failed to impress across both legs against Bayern.
      The club’s diehards have had enough and they are now planning to jeer against the Argentine this Sunday during the Ligue 1 clash with Rennes at the Parc des Princes.
      Read Moe on Messi
      That is because a section of the club’s fans believe the Barcelona legend’s lucrative contract doesn’t reflect his performances on the pitch.
      Leading members of PSG’s ultra group told Mundo Deprtivo: “We will whistle at Messi this Sunday.
      “He has too high a salary in relation to what he offers on the pitch.”
      But of course the protest is not expected to be widespread across the stands.
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      Messi’s deal with PSG runs out in June and he has yet to agree to an extension.
      The Argentina captain has been linked with a dramatic return to Barcelona, but the club is dealing with serious financial issues.
      The versatile attacker has also attracted interest from the Middle East as well as the US.
      Manchester United legend David Beckham is determined to bring him to his MLS club Inter Miami. More

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      Lionel Messi set to be offered eye-watering £194MILLION-A-YEAR Saudi transfer as PSG star’s dad is spotted in Riyadh

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      LIONEL MESSI is reportedly set to be offered a £194-MILLION-A-YEAR deal to move to Saudi Arabia.The Argentine, 35, will become a free agent in the summer if he does not agree a contract extension at Paris Saint-Germain.
      Lionel Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain contract runs out in the summerCredit: Rex
      رئيس أكاديمية مهد الرياضية الأستاذ عبدالله حماد @AfHammad14 وأحد المقربين من سمو #وزير_الرياضة الأمير عبدالعزيز الفيصل يلتقي والد الاسطورة ميسي والذي يعتبر وكيل أعمال ابنه داخل الأراضي السعودية .. pic.twitter.com/iDK3tIFWZD— أحمد العجلان (@ahmad2man) March 14, 2023

      Cristiano Ronaldo joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in DecemberCredit: Reuters
      But while the French giants remain keen to secure a deal, Saudi chiefs are hoping they can lure the Barcelona legend to the Middle East.
      They are set to offer him the same deal Cristiano Ronaldo, 38, agreed when he joined Al-Nassr in December.
      Earlier this week, Messi’s dad, Jorge, was spotted in Riyadh meeting Professor Abdullah Hammad, – head of the Mahd Sports Academy and a close associate of sports minister Prince Abdulaziz Al-Faisal.
      Messi is an ambassador for the Saudi Arabia Tourist Board – one explanation for his father’s visit.
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      But Marca are reporting the Saudis are also set to propose a £194m-a-year offer to the superstar forward.
      And his dad’s presence in the country has added further speculation surrounding a potential move to the Saudi Pro League – with Al-Nassr’s rivals Al Hilal the most likely destination.
      However, there are a number of other options on the table for Messi.
      One of those is a return to Barcelona – where Jorge flew to following his trip to Saudi.
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      The World Cup winner has also been linked with a move to David Beckham’s MLS club Inter Miami.
      Yet despite links to both Saudi and America, staying in European football is still the most likely outcome for Messi.
      He is understood to want at least one more year at the top level of the game.

      And his performances for Argentina at the World Cup proved he remains one of the best players in the world.
      He has also contributed 18 goals and 17 assists in 31 games for PSG this season. More

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      Youth footballer ‘threatened by man with knife during mass brawl at cup game before running to hide in dressing room’

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      A FRENCH footballer was confronted by a man with a knife at half-time of a youth cup game in Nantes on Sunday afternoon, reports claim.The incident is alleged to have taken place during Nantes’ clash with Monaco, with a player from the former being forced to hide in the dressing room after “being hit”.
      The incident is alleged to have occurred during Monaco’s youth cup clash with NantesCredit: Getty
      With the score tied at 0-0, a fight is claimed have broken out among around 20 spectators.
      According to Ouest-France, the unnamed Nantes player was threatened by a man wielding a knife after being assaulted.
      Thankfully uninjured, the player headed straight to the dressing room to hide from the aggressor.
      The attacker was reportedly able to flee, as stewards attempted to get the alarming situation under control.
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      Eventually the match was able to get back underway… under the supervision of FIVE police squads.
      Monaco went on to score on 60 minutes, winning 1-0 to book a place in the semi-finals.
      The Nantes player that was threatened has reportedly opted not to open legal proceedings following the ordeal.
      A reason for the half-time fracas has not yet been revealed.
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      The two sides had contrasting fortunes at first-team level over the weekend.
      Nantes grabbed an 88th minute equaliser via Mostafa Mohamed to draw 2-2 with Nice at Stade de la Beaujoire.
      While Monaco were beaten 1-0 at home by Reims, managed by British-Belgian Will Still, with the winning goal scored by Arsenal’s England youth international loanee Folarin Balogun. More

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      Chelsea suffer transfer blow in bid to land Neymar as PSG star’s future plans are revealed

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      NEYMAR wants to spend the rest of his career at Paris Saint-Germain, according to reports.The Brazilian last year activated a clause that will see his current deal run to 2027 and he intends to honour it.
      Neymar wants to stay at PSG until 2027Credit: AFP
      Chelsea have shown an interest in signing the 31-year-old.
      But according to The Athletic, Neymar has “no intention” of playing for anyone but PSG.
      The forward joined the French champions from Barcelona, another club he has often been linked with, in 2017.
      He has since played 173 times for PSG, scoring 117 goals and laying on 77 assists.
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      Prior to suffering a season-ending ankle injury against Lille, Neymar has been enjoying another productive season.
      He netted 18 goals and set up a further 17 in 29 games this term.
      Without their No10 at their disposal, PSG meekly exited the Champions League 3-0 on aggregate to Bayern Munich.
      Much uncertainty surrounds the futures of Neymar’s fellow forwards Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi.
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      Doubts surround the futures of Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi at PSGCredit: Reuters
      Mbappe, 24, will enter the final year of his contract this summer.
      While Messi, 35, could choose to leave at the end of the campaign, with Inter Miami having been linked.
      PSG’s football director Luis Campos may have to revamp the club’s front line this season.

      The Ligue 1 leaders are interested in Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who Campos signed during his time at Lille in 2019.
      While they also admire Manchester City star Bernardo Silva and his Portugal team-mate Goncalo Ramos.
      PSG are interested in Napoli star Victor OsimhenCredit: Rex More

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      Folarin Balogun sends Arsenal message as he sets new record in Ligue 1 with winning goal against Monaco

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      FOLARIN BALOGUN has sent a strong message to Arsenal after making Ligue 1 history with Reims thanks to his goalscoring exploits.Balogun has been on fire during his loan stint in France and has scored more goals than Paris Saint-Germain superstars Neymar and Lionel Messi.
      The Arsenal loanee is at it again 😮‍💨Folarin Balogun is back amongst the goals, putting Reims in front away at Monaco… pic.twitter.com/y08KmaBKPJ— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 12, 2023

      Folarin Balogun has made Ligue 1 history while on loan with ReimsCredit: AFP
      Folarin Balogun has sent a powerful message to Arsenal manager Mikel ArtetaCredit: AFP
      The striker’s success reached new heights as he set a league record with Will Still’s team.
      The forward has become the youngest player to score at least 16 goals in Ligue 1 in his first campaign since the 1960-1961 season.
      Balogun reached that landmark at the age of 21 years and 252 days old.
      The England Under-21 international, who is also eligible for USA and Nigeria, led Reims to a stunning 1-0 win at Monaco with a fine finish on 51 minutes.
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      That works as a powerful message to the Gunners from the youngster that could give manager Mikel Arteta something to think about.
      Balogun is not the first loanee to stand out during Arteta’s reign as William Saliba did the same in the last three years with Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille.
      Saliba is now a key figure in the North Londoners’ Premier League title-chasing squad and has formed a strong partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back.
      Balogun has scored only three goals fewer than top scorers Kylian Mbappe and Jonathan David of PSG and Lille respectively.
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      Arsenal fans took to social media and urged Arteta to consider the centre-forward for next season.
      One tweeted: “Going to be revelation in the Arsenal team next season.”
      Another commented: “Bring him home.”
      And a third wrote: “What a season he’s having.” More

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      Watch Lens star Lois Openda score fastest Ligue 1 hat-trick in 21st Century with incredible five-minute treble

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      LOIS OPENDA has beaten the record for the fastest Ligue 1 hat-trick.The Lens star fired in three goals against Clermont Foot in just four minutes and 31 seconds.

      Lois Openda broke the record for the fastest hat-trick in Ligue 1 historyCredit: BT Sport via Twitter
      He netted his goals in under five minutesCredit: BT Sport via Twitter
      The Ligue 1 record was formerly held by former Lille star Matt Moussilou for his rapid hat-trick against Istres in February 2005.
      He managed the feat in four minutes and 34 seconds.
      Openda netted his first goal on the half-hour mark, putting his side in the lead.
      His second came in the 34th minute as he finished off a swift Lens move.
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      And he completed the hat-trick just seconds later as he managed to capitalise on an error from Clermont goalkeeper Mory Diaw.
      And fans could not believe the speed at which the goals came.
      One tweeted: “A five-minute hat-trick, all scored with his left foot.”
      A second commented: “He should get an award if that’s the fastest hat-trick in world football this year.
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      “They could call it something like the Openda d’Or.”
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      A third wrote: “What a talent.”
      A fourth said: “Lois Openda has just scored a five minute hat-trick 🤯🤯🤯🤯”
      While a fifth added: “Not a bad four minutes for Lois Openda.” More