OFFICIAL: PSG manager Galtier confirms Messi's departure at end of the season

OFFICIAL: PSG manager Galtier confirms Messi's departure at the end of the season

PSG manager Christophe Galtier has just confirmed that Leo Messi will leave PSG at the end of the season.

“I had a privilege of coaching the best player in the history of football. It will be Leo’s last match at the Parc des Princes against Clermont, and I hope that he will receive the warmest of welcomes," Galtier said on Thursday ahead of Saturday's game against Clermont.

Messi joined PSG after a financial tug of war with Barcelona in 2021 and has won a pair of Ligue 1 titles, though the Parisians have not got any closer to winning the Champions League crown they so desire.

The 35-year-old hinted that leaving Barcelona allowed him to mature as a player and some suggest that leaving his comfort zone allowed him to develop the leadership qualities he displayed in winning the Qatar World Cup in December.

The scramble to sign the seven-time Ballon d'Or now well and truly begins.

Former club Barcelona have been favourites to sign Messi of late, while Inter Miami have emerged as a potential option. And, according to the latest odds, Manchester City, Chelsea and even Newcastle are in with a shot.

It's a move to Saudi Arabia which is deemed the most likely as things stand, however. There have been suggestions that the World Cup winner could be on the verge of signing a lucrative deal with Saudi side Al-Hilal.

Rumours last month claimed that Messi had been offered a contract worth £522million from Al-Hilal, despite the concerns of his wife Antonela Roccuzzo.

French media reported this morning that Messi could make a sensational return to the Camp Nou but that Barcelona would struggle to financially wager a move.

One alternative suggested by L’Equipe, though, is that Messi could join Inter Miami and be loaned to the Catalan club.

Inter Miami, managed by Phil Neville, are said to be offering Messi a lucrative package, while there is still interest from Asian clubs.

‘I hope that he will be welcomed in the best way,’ added Galtier ahead of Messi’s final game. PSG have already won the Ligue 1 title.

There have also been suggestions that the World Cup winner could be on the verge of signing a lucrative deal with Saudi side Al-Hilal.

Rumours last month claimed that Messi had been offered a contract worth £522million from Al-Hilal, despite the concerns of his wife Antonela Roccuzzo.

Messi's father, Jorge, quickly shut down reports that a decision had been made about his son's club for next season.

Taking to social media, Messi's father said: 'There is absolutely nothing with any club for next year. The decision will never be made before Lionel finished the league with PSG.

'Once the season is over it will be time to analyse and see what is there, and then make a decision.

'There are always rumors and many use the name of Lionel to gain notoriety but the truth is only one and we can assure that there is nothing with anyone.

'Neither verbal, nor signed, nor agreed, and there will not be until the end of the season.'

Despite his impressive campaign in France - where he scored 16 goals and recorded 16 assists in the league - there are clearly issues with Messi and the PSG hierarchy.

Last month, the World Cup winner was the centre of controversy as he missed a training session and, instead, travelled to Saudi Arabia to promote the country’s tourism industry.

Messi, who was given a two-week suspension, apologised and posted a message on social media saying he was on his way to Riyadh when players were told their day off had been cancelled.

'I thought we were going to have a day off after the game as always,' Messi began in the 39-second clip shared onto his Instagram story.

'I had this trip organised and I couldn't cancel it. I had already cancelled it before. I apologise to my team-mates and I'm waiting for what the club wants to do with me.'

Just a few days after the incident, PSG fans gathered outside the club headquarters to chant for the PSG board to resign, while they also called for Messi to leave the club, with the Argentinian also receiving jeers from supporters at recent matches.

It was thought that the fans had arrived at the headquarters to protest Messi's suspension, but, according to The Sun, one chant heard was: 'Messi, son of a b****.'