Lionel Messi has been offered a lucrative new deal at Paris Saint-Germain following his impressive start to the season.
The 35-year-old has scored nine goals and chipped in with 10 assists in 15 matches so far this season - with PSG unbeaten in all competitions. After a disappointing first campaign at the French giants, Messi has re-found his form and is spearheading an attack with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar alongside him.
According to Le Parisien, PSG are already working on a new deal for the Argentine, whose current contract runs out next summer, and the club want the player to stay beyond that. Messi joined PSG from Barcelona on a free transfer in 2021 and is reportedly earning around £700,000 a week.
It is understood PSG are ready to offer Messi a new one-year contract, plus an option to extend his stay by a further 12 months, with economic conditions unmatched by any other club in the world. This would take Messi to his 23nd season in professional football.
However, Messi also has other offers on the table and is fortunate enough to control his own destiny. Barcelona are sounding out the possibility to re-sign the forward after he left just over a year ago.
Although the Catalan side have struggled financially in recent seasons since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, vice president Romeu believes his possible arrival to Camp Nou is more than feasible. Joan Laporta also recently acknowledged that he feels indebted to the Argentine following his initial departure last summer.
Will Lionel Messi sign a new contract at PSG? Let us know in the comments below!
Another option Messi would consider is a move to the MLS, with a number of teams reportedly keen on his signature. He could follow the likes of Gareth Bale, Lorenzo Insigne and Gonzalo Higuain out to the States after they decided to take the plunge in the summer.
Messi's new proposed deal simply highlights the different situation he has found himself in compared to old rival Cristiano Ronaldo. The duo have spent their careers being compared and battled for numerous individual awards over the years.
But whilst Messi is a star performer at his club and in control of his own destiny, Ronaldo is facing an uncertain future at Manchester United. He is frustrated at a lack of playing time and also a lack of opportunities to move elsewhere, two things Messi is not having to worry about at this moment in time.
Ronaldo is increasingly likely to leave Old Trafford after he stormed out of Old Trafford last Wednesday. The former Juventus man refused to come on as a late substitute in United's 2-0 win over Tottenham and decided to completely leave the stadium in the process.
Erik ten Hag subsequently decided to leave Ronaldo out of the squad for the Red Devils' 1-1 draw at Chelsea at the weekend, and revealed he would fine the forward two weeks' wages. It led to Ronaldo training alone on Thursday and Friday as he tries to force himself back into Ten Hag's plans before the World Cup begins in November.
Despite Ten Hag claiming he wants Ronaldo to stay at United for the remainder of the season, it is understood there is a willingness to allow the forward to leave in January.
