CELEBRITY
PSG Offer ‘Free’ Messi Contract
Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly offered Lionel Messi a contract as they look to bring the 34-year-old to the French top-flight.
The Argentine superstar, 34, attempted to leave the Nou Camp last summer in extraordinary circumstances but decided against the move due to the exit clause in his contract.
However, the six-time Ballon d’Or winner became a free agent last month after his contract at the club expired. As a result, PSG are looking to capitalise.
It had been reported earlier this week that Messi had agreed terms on a new contract with Barcelona.
The deal would keep the Argentina star at the club for another two years – June 2023.
However, according to AS, Paris Saint-Germain have thrown a spanner in the works and offered Messi a contract.
The French club are hoping the lucrative deal will lure the 34-year-old to Ligue 1 next season.
Messi’s future has been hanging in the balance ever since he told the club by fax of his desire to leave last summer.
Barcelona will reportedly have to free up £170m in wages if Messi does put pen to paper on a new deal with the club.
However, Barcelona find themselves cash-strapped as they try to cope with the financial issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Nevertheless, they have already brought in some new faces during the summer transfer window.
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, Lyon forward Memphis Depay and City defender Eric Garcia will be arriving on free transfers and Barca also triggered Real Betis star Emerson Royal’s £7.8million release clause.
Regardless of the offers presented to Messi, the 34-year-old has said he will stay focused on the Copa America first.
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo crossed one billion followers across his social media accounts, aided by his newly-launched YouTube channel that has attracted more than 60 million subscribers in just over three weeks.
Ronaldo, who scored his 900th career goal last week to help Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in the Nations League, is the first human being to reach a billion followers on social media, global media reports said.
“We’ve made history, one billion followers! This is more than just a number, it’s a testament to our shared passion, drive, and love for the game and beyond,” Ronaldo posted on X.
“You’ve been with me every step of the way, through all the highs and the lows. This journey is our journey… thank you for believing in me, for your support, and for being part of my life.”
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid player reached the milestone with over 639 million followers on Instagram, 170 million on Facebook and 113 million on X.
The 39-year-old topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes this year, with off-field earnings of $60 million, boosted by his large social media following.
Ronaldo’s club Al-Nassr will host Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.
-Reuters
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo launched his YouTube channel on Wednesday and hundreds of thousands of subscribers signed up within a couple of hours.
The 39-year-old five-times Ballon D’Or winner plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.
“The wait is over. My @YouTube channel is finally here! SIUUUbscribe and join me on this new journey,” Ronaldo posted on his social media accounts.
A couple of hours after posting his first video, 1.69M subscribers had joined he channel.
Ronaldo has 112.5 million followers on the X platform, 170 million on Facebook and 636 million on Instagram.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United player is preparing for his team’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al-Raed on Thursday.
-Reuters
Inter Miami will be the last club Argentina captain Lionel Messi plays for, the 36-year-old forward said on Wednesday, adding he feels “a little bit scared” at the thought of the day he decides to retire.
Messi, a World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022, has a contract with the Major League Soccer side until 2025 following his arrival last summer after a spell with French champions Paris St Germain.
“Inter Miami will be my last club. I love playing football. I enjoy everything even more because I am aware that there is less and less left,” Messi told ESPN.
“I’m not ready to leave football. I’ve done this all my life, I love playing football, I enjoy training, the day-to-day, the matches… And yes, there’s always a little bit of fear that it’s all over.”
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is preparing with his national team to defend their Copa America title, with the tournament kicking off on June 20 in the United States.
Argentina will take on Canada in the opening match before facing Group A rivals Chile on June 25 and Peru four days later.
-Reuters
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