Lionel Messi has officially been announced as a Paris Saint-Germain player.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner flew into Paris with his family on Tuesday after agreeing terms with the French giants, with thousands of fans flocking to both the airport and Parc Des Princes to greet the Argentine.
A new đź’Ž in Paris !
PSGxMESSI ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/2JpYSRtpCy
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) August 10, 2021
Le Paris Saint-Germain est très heureux d’annoncer la signature de Leo Messi pour un contrat de deux ans, avec une année supplémentaire en option.
PSGxMESSI ❤️💙
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) August 10, 2021
Messi, who held an emotional farewell at Barcelona on Sunday after 21 stunning years of service, completed a medical and signed a two-year contract with the option of a third.
The 34-year-old will earn a whopping €35 million-a-year after tax – €2.91 million a month and €729,000-per-week – and takes the No.30 shirt at PSG.
He was reportedly offered the No.10 shirt by his close friend Neymar but has instead elected to revert back to the number he debuted with when he was a scrawny teenager back in 2003.
Throughout the day PSG dropped a slew of hints for the arrival of Messi and it wasn’t long before leaked images of him emerged on social media.
Then, on Tuesday evening, the club finally confirmed the biggest free transfer in football history with a brilliantly edited video.
⏳ pic.twitter.com/QnnazAdROF
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) August 10, 2021
Messi put on his new kit and graced the pitch of his new home, posing for official pictures and videos.
Primeras imágenes de Messi vestido del PSG y el dorsal 30, el mismo con el que debutó en el Barça https://t.co/JeEULNTtwx
— Edu Polo (@EduPolo) August 10, 2021
He is to be formally presented as a PSG player in front of the media on Wednesday morning and could make his debut for the club against Strasbourg on Saturday.
“I am excited to begin a new chapter of my career at Paris Saint-Germain,” Messi told the official PSG website.
“Everything about the club matches my football ambitions. I know how talented the squad and the coaching staff are here. I am determined to help build something special for the club and the fans, and I am looking forward to stepping out onto the pitch at the Parc des Princes.”
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi hailed the addition of Messi and hopes to see the star-studded team “make history” following his arrival.
“I am delighted that Lionel Messi has chosen to join Paris Saint-Germain and we are proud to welcome him to Paris, with his family,” Al-KhelaĂŻfi added.
“He did not hide his desire to continue competing at the highest level and to win trophies. The ambition of the club is of course identical.
“The addition of Leo to our world-class team continues a very strategic and successful transfer window for the club. Led by our outstanding coach and his staff, I look forward to the team making history together for our fans all around the world.”
Messi had spent his entire career at Barcelona, scoring a staggering 672 goals in 778 appearances. He broke a number of individual records and won a incredible 35 honours with the Blaugrana.
Featured Image Credit: PSG