Lionel Messi has finally signed his eagerly anticipated Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) contract to complete the move that confirms the end of a career-long association with Barcelona and sends PSG into a new era.
PSG said in a statement that the 34-year-old Argentina star signed a two-year deal on Tuesday night with the option for a third season.
“I am excited to begin a new chapter of my career at Paris Saint-Germain,” Messi said.
“Everything about the club matches my football ambitions. I know how talented the squad and the coaching staff are here. I am determined to help build something special for the club and the fans, and I am looking forward to stepping out onto the pitch at the Parc des Princes.”
No salary details were given but Messi is set to earn approximately 35 million euros ($41m) net, according to the Associated Press news agency, who spoke to a person with knowledge of the negotiations on condition of anonymity before the contract was signed.
“I am delighted that Lionel Messi has chosen to join Paris Saint-Germain and we are proud to welcome him and his family to Paris,” PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi said.
“He has made no secret of his desire to continue competing at the very highest level and winning trophies, and naturally our ambition as a club is to do the same.”
Messi will wear the number 30, as revealed in a video by the club, the number he had when he began his professional career at Barcelona between 2004-2006.
Earlier, Messi’s father and agent, Jorge, had also confirmed his son was moving to PSG in a brief exchange with reporters at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport in the early afternoon.
Messi arrived with his wife and three children and boarded a private jet.
“With it all, toward a new adventure. The five together,” Antonela Roccuzzo said on Instagram on a photo with her husband on the plane.
Messi became the most desired free agent in football history after his attempts to stay at Barcelona were rejected last week by the Spanish league because his salary would not comply with financial regulations. The Catalan club is burdened by more than 1.2 billion euros ($1.4bn) in debt.PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino quickly contacted his fellow Argentinian after Barcelona announced last Thursday that Messi would be leaving the club he joined as a 13-year-old.
Messi won every notable honor with Barcelona and his tearful exit news conference on Sunday signaled the end of an era. Only Cristiano Ronaldo in the current era challenges Messi’s status as an all-time great.
The star-power of Messi, who has 245 million followers on Instagram, will be welcome news for Ligue 1 as a battle rages between broadcasters over the price of its television rights, crucial to the finances of the clubs.