Messi signs for PSG: presentation as it happened
PSG unveil new signing Lionel Messi
Stars share the #30
NBA star Stephen Curry wished Messi all the best on his PSG move. Messi will wear the #30 shirt in Paris, the same number Curry wears for the Golden State Warriors...
Messi waves to Paris Saint-Germain fans gathered outside the Parc des Princes during his unveiling today.
(Photo: REUTERS/Yves Herman)
Messi's PSG presentation wrapped up in a four-minute vid
Paris Saint-Germain have posted this inside-look video of Lionel Messi's day, as the Argentina star was unveiled by the Ligue 1 club:
"Messi, Messi, Messi!"
In case you missed it, here's the moment journalists in the Parc des Princes press room began chanting Lionel Messi's name at the end of his press conference:
Messi's former boss Setién: "What I encountered at Barça, I haven't encountered in the 40 years I've been in football"
In news related to Lionel Messi, the Argentine’s former Barcelona coach, Quique Setién, has told Jot Down of his experiences in the Camp Nou dugout during the 2019/20 season.
Setién, who was sacked after a campaign which culminated in an 8-2 Champions League thrashing by Bayern Munich and a summer transfer request by Messi, said: “What I encountered there, I haven’t encountered in the 40 years I’ve been in football.”
Setién also said: “I’m perfectly aware that when I went to Barcelona it was because they didn’t have anyone else, but you can’t say no to going to Barcelona and coaching the best players in the world […]. I’d done well at Lugo, Las Palmas, Betis… so why couldn’t I turn things around there too? I’ve always gone to teams that were on a bad run, which is what’s normal. No-one calls you when a team is doing well.”
On the heavy defeat to Bayern, he said: “In the first 20 or 25 minutes, we played well against a really top side, and we even had the chance to go ahead, but after the fourth goal, the team’s heads dropped, we collapsed.”
(Photo: Gorka Leiza/Diario AS)
PSG announce Messi signing: how much will he earn at new club?
Although PSG themselves did not offer details of his pay packet in their announcement of Messi’s arrival at the club, well-connected media outlets in France have provided an indication of how much the player seems likely to pick up per year in Paris.
On Tuesday, the sports daily L'Équipe revealed that Messi is set to earn 40 million euros gross at PSG, a figure that is similar to that quoted by the newspaper Le Parisien, which in a report at the weekend anticipated an annual amount of around 35 million to 40 million euros.
Why PSG could and Barça couldn't
Former AS editor-in-chief Alfredo Relaño, who is now the newspaper's honorary president, has offered his take on Lionel Messi's departure from Barcelona, and subsequent move to Paris Saint-Germain, in this opinion piece.
Real Madrid chief Pérez denies role in Messi's Barcelona exit
Real Madrid club president Florentino Pérez says he did not persuade Barcelona counterpart Joan Laporta to let Lionel Messi leave the Camp Nou.
Ramos tells Messi: "You can stay at my house" after ex-Barcelona star's arrival at PSG
Sergio Ramos has reportedly offered new PSG teammate Lionel Messi a place to stay while he looks for a new house in Paris.
Lionel Messi: Neymar reunion a major factor in PSG move
Paris Saint-Germain new boy Lionel Messi says former Barcelona team-mate Neymar's presence at the Parc des Princes played a significant role in the Argentina star agreeing to a move to the Ligue 1 club, where he has signed an initial two-year contract.
Xavi 'sad' for Messi and Barcelona following PSG move
Xavi feels sympathy for Lionel Messi and his former club Barcelona following the superstar forward's switch to Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi held a tearful news conference on Sunday to confirm the end of his 21-year stay at Camp Nou ahead of completing a move to PSG on Tuesday.
The six-time Ballon d'Or winner revealed both he and Barcelona did everything possible to agree a new deal, but it was made impossible by "financial and structural obstacles".
PSG fans welcome Messi to Parc des Princes
Messi arrived in Paris to a huge welcome from PSG fans. "I feel sorry for the French defences, and the other French clubs," said one fan.
Follow link for Messi video
Mbappé has no option but to stay at PSG following Messi arrival, says Al-Khelaifi
Kylian Mbappé has "no excuse" to leave Paris Saint-Germain following Lionel Messi's arrival, according to club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
Messi was unveiled at a press conference at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday while thousands of fans gathered outside the stadium to welcome the superstar forward.
Messi: "Neymar is a great player"
Messi spoke about his close friend Neymar in this morning's press conference. "I wanted him at Barca, now it has turned around, and I'm here with him".
PSG chief lands another major coup
Al-Khelaifi x Neymar
Al-Khelaifi x Mbappé
Al-Khelaifi x Messi
Will they be called MNM?
Messi shirt on sale
Queues are running from the official PSG store right back into the metro station as fans look to get their hands on a Messi jersey. They have signed the greatest player of all time after all!
Messi is officially presented with his number 30 shirt alongside club president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and sporting director Leonardo. A historic moment for PSG.
Chants of "Messi, Messi, Messi" begin as the press conference draws to a close.
Messi: "This is a great squad and I'm sure I'll help it"
Messi: "Football is the same everywhere"
"I'm prepared for this. Football is the same everywhere. I have friends in the dressing room here which will help a lot. I'm excited to meet everyone and having those friends in the team will help me greatly in getting to know my new team-mates. It's a beautiful city and we'll surely enjoy that part of it too."
Nasser Al-Khelaifi on Kylian Mbappé's future:
"I think everyone knows what Kylian's future is: he is Parisian. He's said that he wanted a competitive team - there's no better than this team now, he has no excuse to do anything else now."
Nasser Al-Khelaïfi on Financial Fair Play (FFP):
"I'll always follow the FFP regulations. Before we do anything we go through the legal process. Today as you can see, what Leo is bringing to the club is huge. You, the media, need to focus on that and not always on the negative side. It has been an unbelievable three days, you will be shocked when you see the numbers. I hope Leo doesn't ask for more money!"
Messi:
"I love playing, I love winning and I'll give everything here to achieve our objectives."
Messi on Barcelona:
"I'll always be grateful to the Barcelona fans for everything we experienced together. It's going to be strange if I do return to Barcelona in another shirt!"
Messi on PSG team-mates:
"I know Neymar very well. Di Maria, Paredes, and other players also helped me to make the decision to move here. This league has grown a lot in recent years. It's more competitive now. It's a new experience for me after such a long time in LaLiga."
Messi: "My dream is to lift another Champions League"
"I'm going to help here, to give my best. My objective and dream is to lift another Champions League."
Messi on winning the Champions League:
"It's not easy to win it. You can have the best team in the world and not win the Champions League. I was in a great team that didn't win the trophy. You have to have a strong, united group to win the Champions League. Luck also helps! But as I said before, the best team doesn't always win it."
Messi on fans:
"We haven't been able to see the fans recently but it's going to really fun to have the fans back and be able to enjoy football again together."
Messi on making his debut:
"I'm not sure when it will be, that's up to the management staff to decide, but I'll keep training and be ready."
Messi: "To be able to play with these great players makes me very excited. I'm ready to train and it's great to be able to have these quality players to train and play with."
Messi: "I'm sure that we're going to enjoy this journey together. Thanks very much for being here."
Messi: "I'm very excited to be here"
"I'm very happy. It was very tough leaving Barcelona. I'm very excited for this. I'm enjoying the first couple of days here but I'm looking forward to getting started. I'm looking forward to this new step. I want to say thanks to the president, to Leonardo. It all happened very quickly and I'm grateful for that."
"This is an amazing and historic day"
PSG owner Nasser Al-Khelaïfi:
"This is an amazing and historic day for the club. It's a fantastic moment for us. With Leo, he makes football magic, beautiful and he is a winner. 10 years ago, people said what they're going to do with this club and we have a big ambition and we are today. There was a great desire between both sides to make this happen. I would like to thank Leo for making this happen."
Well, it's only three days ago that Messi said "PSG is a possibility" and here we are. He is being officially unveiled as a PSG player.
Leo's three sons are all wearing Messi 30 shirts. Messi himself is wearing a nice suit.
The live presentation is about to start in Paris.
The Messi's are on their way!
Lionel Messi asks to be part of PSG’s trip to Strasbourg
As reported by RMC in France, PSG’s new signing Lionel Messi has expressed a desire to be part of the Paris squad to play Strasbourg in Ligue 1 on Saturday at the Parc des Princes.
Messi has had very little to no preseason, and zero game time since the end of the Copa America, having been out of contract at Barcelona and waiting for a new deal to be finalized.
Although Messi likes the idea of starting as soon as possible, the PSG coaching staff would prefer he waits a little before playing his first game.
LFP president Vincent Labrune on Lionel Messi’s PSG arrival: It’s a historic day for French football
Reacting to the news that Paris Saint-Germain had secured the signing of Lionel Messi, Vincent Labrune – president of the governing body of France’s professional leagues, the LFP – underlined the historic nature of the signing.
“The arrival of Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain is a planetary event. It’s a historic day for French football and for Ligue 1 Uber Eats. Lionel Messi is a football legend, who has along with Pelé and Diego Maradona made the history of our sport. It’s a fantastic opportunity for French football fans and all lovers of football to be able to watch the best player in the world in our stadiums or on TV.”
“It’s also fantastic news for the exposure of Ligue 1 on an international scale. The arrival of Lionel Messi will grow the attractiveness and visibility of our league across all continents.”
“This unique event is the fruit of the PSG management’s strategy, who have allowed the club to become one of the biggest franchises in world sport in the space of 10 years. In the name of French professional football, I want to thank Nasser Al-Khelaifi for making this dream a reality. Messi is magic.”
Shirts sales explode
The number 30 will probably be trending at some point today. PSG’s online shop ran out of Messi shirts in seconds last night.
Neymar offers Messi #10
Messi has chosen the number 30 shirt as that was the number he wore in his first two seasons at Barcelona.
Neymar reportedly offered his number 10 shirt to Messi, but his Argentine friend declined.
After Messi, "PSG only have two ways to comply with Fair Play"
Toni Roca, director of the Sports Law Institute, has warned that Paris Saint-Germain now only have two ways to sustain their star-studded project led by Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, so that they do not breach the Financial Fair Play regulations imposed on clubs by UEFA. This regulation effectively states that no team can spend more than it earns.
"PSG must seize the two approaches in order to comply with Fair Play and make their project viable this season," Roca stated on Tuesday.
PSG's starting XI with Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi and Mauricio Pochettino already have one football club in common. Pochettino came through the ranks at Newell's Old Boys in Rosario, Argentina. The former Tottenham boss won the Argentinian league title with Newell's in 1991 under current Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa. Messi grew up in Rosario and went on to play for the club at youth level, before making the move to Europe aged 13.
After 21 years at Camp Nou, Messi will join the Ligue 1 club. Pochettino's team finished second behind eventual winners Lille last season. With Messi in their side for this season's campaign, there will be no excuses this time around.
PSG were pipped by a point in the 2020/21 season, despite having Di Maria, Neymar and Mbappé to count on going forward.
Messi unveiling
The final small print on Messi's deal was signed off on Tuesday morning, with issues such as his salary, which remains unknown, his image rights and various commissions on the deal agreed to the satisfaction of all parties.
Messi is set to be unveiled as a PSG player this morning. It has been rumoured that he will be presented in the same manner as Neymar and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, in front of the Eiffel Tower, but for now the club has only confirmed that a press conference will be taking place at 11am CEST (5am EDT) at the Parc des Princes.
PSGxMessi
The PSG social media team have been busy making Messi content over the past few days. PSG first approached Barcelona on Thursday night, when news of Messi talks collapsing first emerged.
Messi shirts sold out
We knew he was popular. There will be a lot of Messi #30 shirts around the streets of Paris for the next couple of years. It still all feels rather strange.
Messi takes AS front page
There was never really any doubt what was going to be adorning our front page this morning.
It's a party in Paris!
When will Messi make his PSG debut and against which team?
PSG began the season with a 2-1 away win over Troyes at the weekend and follow that up with games against Strasbourg (at home), then trips to Brest and Stade de Reims.
Therefore, Clermont, who come next at home, are potentially his first victims, and the newly promoted side will be hoping to continue there positive arrival in games leading up to the showpiece match. A stunning 2-0 victory over Bordeaux in Game 1 got the club that was founded just 31 years ago off to the perfect start to their first campaign in the French top flight.
Find out more on Messi's potential debut date.
PSG: Messi to wear No. 30 shirt at Ligue 1 club
One of the questions being asked as the deal looked more and more nailed on was regarding Messi's likely shirt number at PSG.
Well, the club confirmed that he would swap his iconic 10 (from his latter years at Barça) to wear the No. 30 shirt at Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi chasers
The PSG social media team wasted no time changing their profile pictures.
And with the signing of one of the most popular stars of the Beautiful Game (and he really plays that version of it!) we're interested to see how their current 800k follower count grows.
A million by the end of the week?
Messi: PSG confirm signing of former Barcelona star
Messi, who is now 34, signed for PSG on an initial two-year contract, with the option of extending that deal for an additional season, the Ligue 1 club said in a statement on Tuesday evening.
The final small print on Messi's deal was signed off on Tuesday morning, with issues such as his salary, which remains unknown, his image rights and various commissions on the deal agreed to the satisfaction of all parties.
If the rumours are true, he will be presented in the same manner as Neymar and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Messi presentation timings
PSG have announced that the press conference will be held at 11am local time (CEST) at the club’s Parc des Princes home stadium. In the US, that’s 5am EDT and 2am PDT, while in the UK that’s 10am BST. (That's about an hour from now!)
Although the club’s announcement of the press conference does not mention Messi himself, it appears it will indeed be the Argentine’s first appearance before the media as a PSG player.
There have been reports that the French giants have also booked the Eiffel Tower for Messi’s unveiling, but this has not been confirmed. We'll keep one eye on that particular Dame de Fer.
Messi in Paris: live presentation
Hello and welcome to our coverage this Wednesday morning as we await the formal presentation of Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain. Even just writing that still feels strange!
The French capital hasn't been this excited since the finishing touches were made to Gustave Eiffel's greatest achievement at the end of the 19th century, and we're here to follow it all, bringing you reaction and related stories along the way.
A new era awaits for arguably the greatest player to have ever lived.