Paris Saint-Germain are no longer certain about tying Lionel Messi down to a new deal.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner is out of contract this summer, having signed a two-year deal back in 2021 after he made the switch from Barcelona. But talks have already taken place between the two parties over fresh terms and PSG were thought to be keen about keeping him.
Messi has been in sensational form this season, scoring 13 times and registering 13 assists in 23 Ligue 1 appearances. However, the 35-year-old has gone off the boil in recent weeks and failed to make an impact as PSG were beaten at home by Rennes on Sunday.
Now, according to L'Equipe, PSG do not know whether they want to keep Messi at the end of the season. It is thought that 'some at the club are considering a change in direction' in the playing squad, while others believe that letting Messi leave might be the fans' preferred option, too.
The Argentine was booed by sections of the PSG supporters as the teams were called out before the game against Rennes. Messi also went straight down the tunnel after the game, while his teammates applauded the home fans.
It comes after Messi's father, Jorge, hit out at reports regarding his son's contract situation at PSG. Messi has been linked with a mega-money move to Al-Hilal. It has been claimed that Messi has been offered the same wage packet as Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently earning around £173million per year at rivals Al-Nassr.
Jorge took to Instagram to shut down claims that his son had left training early on Friday after falling out with the PSG boss. Messi was, it's claimed, involved in a bust-up with Galtier, although other reports insists he asked to leave early and was granted permission.
The 65-year-old responded: "How long are they going to lie??? Where are the tests??? Ahhh what is it all fake... OK!!!" he wrote on social media. "For many what to put I don't know believe nothing... WE ARE NOT GOING TO TOLERATE MORE INVENTIONS TO GAIN FOLLOWERS."
He has also been linked with a switch to David Beckham's MLS side, Inter Miami, while claims of a return to Barcelona won't go away either. Amid those links to Barca, former teammate Sergi Roberto spoke about Messi potentially returning to Camp Nou to reunite with Xavi Hernandez.
Asked how Messi would be received in the aftermath of the Catalans' most recent Clasico victory, the Spaniard replied: "With open arms, who is not going to be prepared for Messi’s return?"
Roberto added: "You don’t understand that he is having a good season in Paris, scoring many goals, assisting… Because of the [Champions League] elimination they have taken issue with him, but he is a spectacular player and it’s bad that a player of this level is treated in this way. Here we are going to treat him very well if he comes."
