his Tuesday saw the news break that Lionel Messi will complete his long-awaited move to Paris Saint-Germain, and in this live blog we will keep you up to date with the latest news and updates surrounding the Argentine forward.
Messi, who bid farewell to Barcelona in a press conference on Sunday, had remained at his home in Castelldefels until Tuesday afternoon, despite hundreds of PSG fans gathering to wait for his arrival at the city’s main airports, as well as the Parc des Princes, on Monday.
There were reports late on Monday night that Barcelona had made a last-ditch attempt to get Messi to renew, but that has been denied by several high-profile journalists. Instead, the 34-year-old will put pen to paper on a two-year contract with the option of a third at PSG, where he will have a reported net salary of 35 million euros per year.
Messi’s future LIVE
19:15 CEST: Ramos to join privileged list
There is a small group of players who have been privileged enough to have played with both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sergio Ramos is about to add his name to that list.
The ex-Real Madrid captain enjoyed some extremely successful years in the Spanish capital alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, and will now play the next two seasons with Messi at Paris Saint-Germain.
“Messi is one of the world’s best, and I want the best in my team,” said Ramos a few days ago.
Here is the full list of players who have played with both Messi and Ronaldo.
18:30 CEST: Pochettino’s options
When Mauricio Pochettino looks at his squad list for the upcoming season, he is going to have one of the best, if not the best, group of players in the world at his disposal.
Will he abandon his favoured 4-3-3 and switch to a 3-4-3 to accommodate more attacking players?
Here are his options.
17:30 CEST: The excitement continues to build
There is a party-like atmosphere outside the Parc des Princes as PSG fans wait for Lionel Messi’s move to be officially announced.
17:00 CEST: Another tease from PSG
This time, PSG’s social media team have posted a video of six Ballon d’Ors – Messi is the only player to have won this many – and the Eiffel Tower in the background. There have been reports that Messi will be presented at the Eiffel Tower, just like Neymar was back in 2017.
16:45 CEST: PSG confirm a press conference for tomorrow
Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed that a press conference will be held tomorrow at 11am CEST, but they have not named who will be involved… although we all know who will be front and centre.
16:30 CEST: Fans now heading to the Parc des Princes
Messi will now undergo his medical at the American Hospital in Neuilly-sur-Seine, but PSG’s fans have already began to gather outside the Parc des Princes.
16:00 CEST: Messi causes fans in Paris to go wild
Lionel Messi has appeared from a balcony in Paris wearing a ‘Ici c’est Paris’ t-shirt, which has caused the PSG fans below to go wild. The Argentine is clearly in good spirits after landing in the French capital.
15:45 CEST: PSG tease Messi arrival
Without explicitly stating that Lionel Messi is about to sign for PSG, the French club have posted a video on social media hinting that an announcement is imminent.
15:30 CEST: Neymar confirms Messi move
Neymar has posted an image of himself and Messi hugging each other during their time at Barcelona with the caption ‘Back together’ ahead of the Argentine’s move to PSG.
15:00 CEST: Excitement builds in Paris
As was the case on Monday, PSG fans have flocked to Le Bourget airport in Paris ahead of the arrival of Messi. This time, though, they know that the Argentine is in the air.
14:30 CEST: PSG rolling out the red carpet for Messi’s arrival
At the Parc des Princes, the red carpet has been rolled out ahead of Lionel Messi’s arrival a little later on today.
14:00 CEST: Messi family en route to Paris
Antonela, Lionel Messi’s wife, has posted a photo of herself and the six-time Ballon d’Or winner on the plane as they fly to Paris. “All five of us are heading for a new adventure together,” the caption reads, in reference to herself and Lionel, as well as their three children.
13:45 CEST: Messi and his family arrive at Barcelona airport
Lionel Messi, his wife Antonela and their three children have arrived at Barcelona airport ahead of their flight to Paris.
13:30 CEST: Messi leaves his home in Castelldefels
Lionel Messi has been recorded leaving his home as he heads to the airport ahead of his flight to Paris.
13:15 CEST: Jorge Messi confirms PSG move
Jorge Messi, the father and agent of Lionel Messi, has confirmed to La Sexta that his son will join Paris Saint-Germain.
13:00 CEST: When might Messi make his PSG debut?
According to Le Parisien, Messi could be at the Parc des Princes on Saturday for PSG’s match against Strasbourg. Then, he could make his Ligue 1 debut away at Reims on August 29.
12:30 CEST: Here we go!
An agreement has been reached for Lionel Messi to join Paris Saint-Germain. Read all about it HERE.
12:00 CEST: Messi reaches agreement with PSG
Messi’s camp have wrapped up the final details of his move to PSG, according to the French newspaper L’Equipe, so he is expected to fly to the French capital in the next few hours.
11:30 CEST: Messi will not fly until everything is sorted
The final bits and pieces of Messi’s contract at PSG are being finalised, but the six-time Ballon d’Or will not fly to Paris until everything is complete.
11:00 CEST: PSG remain confident
Despite reports of a supposed Barcelona contract offer to Messi, which has been denied by many journalists close to the Argentine’s camp, PSG remain optimistic that they will complete the signing of the Argentine, as Fabrizio Romano notes.
Gianluigi Donnarumma joined PSG on a free this summer, and the Italian goalkeeper has admitted that he is excited at the prospect of playing in the same team as Messi. “I am very happy that Leo is coming here. He’s the best in the world, so I can’t help but be excited and happy,” Donnarumma told Sky Sport Italia.
10:00 CEST: Messi expected to land in Paris this Tuesday
The Argentine newspaper Ole have reported that the agreement between PSG and Messi’s camp is almost done, and he could fly to Paris this Tuesday, August 10.
