CELEBRITY
Messi’s Paris St-Germain deal worth $55m a year
Lionel Messi touched down in France on Tuesday (Aug 10) to finalise his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, after reaching a deal with the French club following his shock departure from Barcelona.
The Argentinian, 34, will undergo a medical examination before putting pen to paper in what will be one of the biggest transfer moves in history.
Football insider Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news earlier yesterday, tweeting that the forward, who over the weekend tearfully split with Barcelona after a 21-year career due to the Catalans’ inability to adhere to La Liga’s financial regulations, was on his way to the French capital.
He said: “Total agreement completed on a two-year contract. Option to extend until June 2024. Salary around €35 million (S$55.7 million) net per season, add-ons included. Messi has definitely accepted PSG contract proposal.”
His agent-father Jorge also told Spanish TV channel La Sexta yesterday that “yes, Leo’s gonna sign with Paris Saint-Germain”.
According to PSG, a press conference is set to take place at the Parc des Princes today.
New PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was last month named Player of the Tournament after leading Italy to the Euro 2020 trophy, yesterday expressed his excitement at the prospect of playing alongside Messi this upcoming season.
“I am happy if he comes to Paris,” Donnarumma told Sky Italia. “He is the best player in the world, I am excited and happy at the thought of having him in the team.”
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner would be the biggest capture yet of an eye-catching transfer window that has seen the French Cup winners sign Donnarumma, Netherlands midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and Spain defender Sergio Ramos on free transfers and land Morocco full-back Achraf Hakimi for €60 million.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side began their bid to reclaim the Ligue 1 title from Lille with a 2-1 win at Troyes last Saturday and barring any unforeseen hitches, Messi could be included in the match-day squad as PSG host Strasbourg on Saturday.
Messi, the record goalscorer and appearance-maker for both Argentina and Barcelona, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
The forward wept during a press conference on Sunday as he bade farewell to his boyhood team, after Barca said it could no longer afford to keep him, blaming the Spanish league’s fair play rules.
But Barca’s loss will be PSG’s gain as they seek to win their first Champions League title, which is sorely desired by the club’s Qatari owners since the 2011 takeover.
As football’s second billion-dollar team after Manchester City, PSG have a star-studded squad and one of the most formidable front lines in football, with Messi’s former Barca teammate Neymar and France striker Kylian Mbappe.
The imminent arrival of the Argentina skipper will make Pochettino’s men the favourites in every competition they are entered in, including the Champions League – the group stage starts next month.
The arrival of Messi, who has 245 million followers on Instagram and is Barca’s most decorated player of all time, is also welcome news for Ligue 1, currently embroiled in a crisis over TV rights.
The French top flight is generally considered the weakest and has the lowest profile of the “Big Five” European leagues, but all eyes will be focused on the competition as Messi gets set for a new adventure away from the only club he has ever played for.
-Reuters
CELEBRITY
Ronaldo reaches one billion followers on social media
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
CELEBRITY
Over a million subscribe as Ronaldo launches YouTube channel
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
CELEBRITY
Lionel Messi set to hang boots
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
-
AFCON1 week ago
Super Eagles lead Afcon Group D qualifiers despite Benin’s defeat of Libya
-
AFCON1 week ago
Austin Eguavoen remains the ‘Big Boss’, says NFF
-
AFCON1 week ago
Why I benched Osimhen again – Eguavoen
-
AFCON1 week ago
Rwanda newspaper gives 5 lessons gleaned from Rwanda-Nigeria clash
-
Nigerian Football1 week ago
Westerhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job
-
AFCON1 week ago
Nigeria’s managerial crisis resumes as Eguavoen reportedly declines to continue
-
AFCON1 week ago
Present and Past as CAF Coaches Symposium unites Rohr, Peseiro and Eguavoen
-
CAF Confederation Cup6 days ago
Enyimba continues unbeaten run against Burkina Faso clubs