“Merci Messi” PSG fans bid Lionel Messi farewell after Ligue 1 final

Qatar World Cup winner Argentine Lionel Messi is leaving Paris Saint-Germain, the French club confirmed on Saturday, two days after coach Christopher Galtier also announced the footballer's departure.

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The announcement came ahead of a 3-2 defeat at the Parc des Princes against Clermont, their final Ligue 1 match on Saturday, 3 June. Messi had joined PSG amid much fanfare after a shock exit from FC Barcelona after the 2020/21 season.

“After two seasons in the capital, the adventure between Leo Messi and Paris Saint-Germain ends at the end of the 2022/23 season. The club warmly thanks the seven-time winner of the Ballon d’Or, and the Super Cup and two French Champions Leagues,” the French club said in a statement.

In today’s statement, headlined “Merci Messi” Paris Saint-Germain celebrates Messi’s recent history, recalling that ‘La Pulga’ made his debut on August 29, 2021 for the club, scoring 32 goals and delivering 34 assists 74 games later, leaving his mark on France.

“After being crowned champion of France in his first year, number 30 took home France Football’s highly regarded Ballon d’Or, the seventh of an immense career,” the statement from the French club adds.

Messi thanked PSG for the two seasons in Paris, as well as the club’s president, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi. “I want to thank the club, the city of Paris and the people for these two years. I wish you all the best for the future,” said the Argentine.

In his message, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi not only thanked the player, but said that seeing the Argentine “inspire the youngsters” gave him real satisfaction and that his contribution to the club and the championship cannot be underestimated.

Paris Saint-Germain was Messi’s only club as a senior and professional after 20 years with FC Barcelona.

The future of the player considered by many to be the best footballer in the world is still uncertain, amid press speculation on a number of scenarios, from a move to Saudi Arabia, where Cristiano Ronaldo currently plays, a return to Barcelona or even a stint in the United States.

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