PSG coach Galtier confirms: Messi will play his last game in Paris on Saturday. Where will the world champion go? Barcelona and Saudi Arabia are being discussed.

The sparrows have been whistling it from the rooftops of the French capital for some time now, and now there is another hint that Lionel Messi’s collaboration with Paris Saint-Germain is about to come to an end.

PSG coach Christophe Galtier said ahead of Ligue 1’s final matchday, when the Parisians face Clermont on Saturday: “I’ve had the privilege of coaching the best player in football history, tomorrow [the encounter takes place on Saturday] is his last game at the Parc des Princes.”

Back in Barcelona in the future? Or in Saudi Arabia?
Where the 35-year-old Argentine is headed is unknown so far. A return to his heart’s club FC Barcelona seems just as much a possibility as a move to the Middle East. Saudi Arabia is being discussed as a possible future field of activity for the world champion.

When Messi travelled to the country, of which he is a tourism ambassador, about a month ago without consulting PSG, he drew the ire of his former employer and then publicly apologised for going it alone.

Since last weekend, PSG have been crowned French champions. The club has won the title nine times since 2013. Messi has played in the French capital since 2021. The PSG management’s goal of winning the Champions League did not succeed, even with the Argentine’s help.

Galtier finds criticism of the world champion inappropriate
The fact that Messi has had to listen to criticism in Paris is incomprehensible to Galtier: “I don’t think the comments and criticism are justified at all. In a season with the World Cup, he has achieved incredible numbers, 21 goals and 22 assists. And he has always put himself at the service of the team,” said the PSG coach.