Lionel Messi didn’t have a great weekend with Barcelona.
Sunday saw the final of the Supercopa de España, with Ronald Koeman’s men facing Athletic Club Bilbao. The match was 2-2 after the initial 90 minutes, and then Athletic’s Inaki Williams scored the winner in extra-time.
Messi received a red card after lashing out at an opponent, which looked a clear sign of frustration from the Argentine.
His Barcelona contract expires at the end of the season, and an exit as a free agent is a distinct possibility. Messi has generally been frustrated with the Catalan side’s competitiveness, and whilst Barca will hope whoever wins their presidential race can convince the player to stay, there will be clubs circling in case that doesn’t happen.
One of the clubs most strongly linked has been PSG, with the prospect of the French champions combining Messi with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
PSG’s sports director Leonardo has been speaking to France Football for their magazine this week, and was inevitably asked about signing the Barca star.
His response will only encourage the rumours further: “Great players like Messi will always be on the PSG list. But this is of course not the time to talk about it, or to dream about it. (…) But we are seated at the large table of those who are following the file closely. In fact, no, we are not yet seated, but our chair is reserved just in case… Four months in football is an eternity, especially during this time.”
