Report: Lionel Messi makes huge u-turn over his future

Lionel Messi celebrates after their sides third goal by Julian Alvarez of Argentina (not pictured) during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium on December 13, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Image credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Lionel Messi has apparently made a huge decision about his future and a u-turn on what he had planned.

The 35-year-old has now won everything in the game, having lifted the World Cup at the weekend, capping the trophy off with the Golden Ball to boot. With talk of him slowing down and declining with age, Messi has more than answered critics, putting in magical displays in Qatar to lead Argentina to glory. 

While his long-time parallel Cristiano Ronaldo appears to be struggling to find a new club at 37, the Flea has no such worries.

Lionel Messi of Argentina poses with the adidas Golden Ball trophy at the award ceremony following the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.

Lionel Messi isn't just a world champion but a man very much in demand (Image credit: Shaun Botterill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

After previously being the verge of agreeing a deal that would see him leave Europe for Major League Soccer, Messi has reneged on the ambition, at least for now.

That's according to Le Parisien, who say that the Argentina captain is set to remain in Paris for another season with PSG. 

Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 on a free transfer in a dramatic transfer window in which it looked certain that he would extend his contract at Barcelona. Originally signing a two-year deal, some say he has failed to live up to the exceptional heights achieved in Catalonia – despite winning the Ballon d'Or last year. 

David Beckham's Miami-based franchise have offered Messi an exit route from the European game but with the World Cup showing that the attacker can roll back the clock, perhaps he has been otherwise convinced to remain at the top level a little longer. 

Lionel Messi of Argentina poses with the adidas Golden Ball trophy at the award ceremony following the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.

Lionel Messi with his Golden Ball award (Image credit: Shaun Botterill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Messi is valued at around €50 million by Transfermarkt

More Lionel Messi stories

Brazil legend Ronaldo has congratulated Messi after winning the World Cup – but some believe Argentina's third goal shouldn't have been given.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni, meanwhile, has stated that he wishes Diego Maradona were alive to see the World Cup triumph and that Messi has a place in the 2026 World Cup squad, should he want it. 

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.