Messi’s happiness in Paris

Lionel Messi is going from strength to strength in his second season in Paris. After a difficult first year as a result of a number of factors (a lack of preseason, South American World Cup qualifiers, COVID-19), the Argentinian looks to be back to his best. On the field, he has posted some hugely impressive numbers this term (12 goals and 13 assists), while the Rosario native also feels more at home than ever with his teammates off the field.

According to L’Équipe, the departures from PSG of Leandro Paredes and Ángel Di Maria, with whom he was incredibly close, have forced Messi to open up more to the rest of the Paris Saint-Germain squad. Although still reserved and distant in certain situations, the Argentina captain is on good terms with plenty of his teammates, with Neymar undoubtedly the one he best gets on with, following the duo’s successful spell together at Barcelona.

With Christophe Galtier, meanwhile, Messi has a cordial relationship. The PSG head coach has let the attacker know that the door is always open for him to discuss tactical issues. “They get along very well. Messi likes the direct form of communication he has with Galtier. They understand each other easily”, states L’Équipe. Galtier has found a system which offers the Argentine freedom and has really brought out the best of him in the early part of the season.

Luis Campos targeting a new PSG deal for Lionel Messi

Such is Messi’s happiness with life off the field at the moment, he even speaks French to his children from time to time. The ex-Barça star is studying the language as a sign of his commitment to the club, who want to renew his contract at all costs. And internally, Messi has informed the capital outfit that he doesn’t want to leave without winning a major trophy.

PSG Football Advisor Luis Campos, with whom he also has a good relationship - L’Équipe talks of important meetings having taken place between Campos, Galtier and Messi) – has already taken steps towards offering the Argentinian a two-year contract (one year with the option of another one) which would see his extend his stay in Paris. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner isn’t expected to decide anything before the World Cup in Qatar but could make an announcement on his future in January.

Messi’s new deal is Campos’ one and only objective at the moment. And it seems that whatever the Portuguese wants, he gets, as we saw with Kylian Mbappé. It was thanks to Campos that the French international agreed to renew his contract and stay at PSG. And Mbappé hasn’t been the only one, with the former Monaco and Lille sporting director instrumental in his club’s summer transfer business. For instance, it was Campos who pushed through the transfer of Carlos Soler, offering Valencia €18m while fellow PSG advisor Antero Henrique negotiated a loan move. With Campos in charge, it looks to be just a matter of time before Messi signs a new deal.