The future of where Lionel Messi will play in the 2023-24 season is becoming a telenovela with the constant twist and turns.
CBS Sports’ Guillem Balague provided his information after on Tuesday there was a report about the 35-year-old having a deal in place to head to Saudi Arabia. However, Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, slammed the media for their reporting.
Balague noted that the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner wants to remain in Europe but didn’t reveal a particular destination.
“I can tell you the plan is [to] finish the [this] season and then see what happens,” Balague said on CBS Sports Golazo. “Let’s see what offers we get and where he fancies going. But his priority is actually to stay in Europe, but not PSG. So, let’s see.”
"His priority is to stay in Europe but not at PSG…"@GuillemBalague says Lionel Messi hasn't decided his next club yet. pic.twitter.com/UhIl2PO71y
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 9, 2023
The European destination, for now, that’s constantly linked to Messi is a possible return to FC Barcelona. However, considering the Spanish club’s finances, a path to Camp Nou isn’t clear yet.
La Liga will have to approve their financial package and if the league gives them the green light, the next step will be to offload players to clear up space on their wage bill to fit Messi’s salary.
Another European destination may present itself in the coming weeks, but aside from the Catalan side, the concrete rumors are Al-Hilar and MLS side Inter Miami.
