PSG: Well thanks for stopping by Messi, we’ll see you around

Messi and PSG part ways after an underwhelming two years

The Lionel Messi era at Paris Saint-Germain is already over.

Less than two hours after kicking off their final game of the 2022-23 season, PSG confirmed Messi’s departure on social media Saturday. A very brief video thanked Messi for his two years with the club…and said little else.

Messi’s future in Paris has been the subject of intense speculation over the last few months, with the all-time great being linked most prominently to moves to the Saudi Pro League, Inter Miami, or Barcelona. In May, Messi’s father Jorge issuing a denial that a move to Saudi Arabia was done, shortly after MLS commissioner Don Garber said Messi could be the biggest athlete in U.S. sports history if he came to MLS.

Messi’s tenure with PSG didn’t exactly feature smooth sailing. While PSG won two Ligue 1 titles with Messi donning a No. 30 kit, the French giants flamed out of the Champions League in the round of 16 twice.

Meanwhile, Messi’s relationship with PSG and its supporters has been strained. Messi was suspended by the club for two weeks in May (a punishment later cut in half) for an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia, while fans booed him after a loss to Lyon and called for him to leave the club in protests that eventually moved to Neymar’s house.

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