• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
'Problem' - Lionel Messi might need to RETIRE from international duty with Argentina to secure new PSG deal

Home> Football

Updated 16:12 22 Feb 2023 GMTPublished 15:43 22 Feb 2023 GMT

'Problem' - Lionel Messi might need to RETIRE from international duty with Argentina to secure new PSG deal

Lionel Messi's long-term future with Ligue 1 club PSG has remained uncertain even after Argentina’s World Cup triumph in Qatar.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

Barcelona legend Lionel Messi could be forced to hang up his boots with Argentina if he is to secure a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain, according to Ludovic Giuly.

Messi lifted the one major trophy that had alluded him in his professional career last December after leading Argentina to the World Cup title in Qatar.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s scintillating form earned him the Golden Ball at the 2022 World Cup, as Argentina beat France on penalties in an electrifying final.

Advert

Messi has ruled out retiring from international football, with Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni keen for the PSG star to feature at the 2026 World Cup.

The 35-year-old Argentine forward is out of contract in the summer and negotiations are reportedly ongoing between Messi and PSG over a new deal.

Former PSG star Giuly believes that Messi’s commitment to his international future with Argentina could prove to be a “problem” over a potential contract extension.

Advert

“It will be necessary to be aware that Leo will no longer be able to play all the matches,” he told French newspaper Le Parisien.

“It will sometimes be necessary to rest before Champions League matches, for example. I can see a rhythm like three disputed matches and then one to rest.

“Leo says he still wants to play with Argentina and that might be a problem. After a certain age, you recover much less well from the fatigue of long plane trips.

“Should he give up the selection to continue? I don’t know, but we’ll have to talk about it.”

Advert

READ MORE:

  • Fans notice Kylian Mbappe’s reaction to Lionel Messi’s 95th-minute free-kick winner
  • Lionel Messi is ‘ABOVE’ Cristiano Ronaldo in GOAT debate, only one player can compete with PSG star
  • Napoli striker Victor Osimhen breaks Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo record in his 197th match

Despite Messi’s age and commitment to Argentina, Giuly insisted that the Argentina captain is the “best player in the world” and urged PSG to sign him to a new deal.

“We criticised him a lot but when we see the World Cup that he won because he had prepared well before, that should convince Paris to extend him,” he added.

Advert

“I remind you that we are talking about Lionel Messi, the best player in the world! It proves that he is capable, if he is managed well, of bringing a lot more.

“A guy capable, at any time, on a pass, a dribble, a strike or a free-kick, of making the difference.

“I’m not talking about marketing or stuff like that but, when you’re called PSG, it’s better to have Messi in your team than elsewhere.”

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Lionel Messi, Argentina, Paris Saint-Germain, Ligue 1, France, Football

Adnan Riaz
Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

X

@AdnanRiaz9

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

5 hours ago
7 hours ago
9 hours ago
10 hours ago
  • 5 hours ago

    FIFA told to take immediate action after PSG fans discover who will referee their Club World Cup semi-final vs Real Madrid

    A controversial referee will take charge of Wednesday's semi-final clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

    Football
  • 7 hours ago

    Liverpool set price tag for Luis Diaz amid Barcelona and Bayern Munich rumours and it looks like a typo

    Liverpool have named their price for Luis Diaz, who is wanted by Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

    Football
  • 9 hours ago

    Non-league club give two-word response after Andy Carroll linked with sensational return to football

    Andy Carroll has been in France for the best two seasons but rumours have been swirling about a return to English football.

    Football
  • 10 hours ago

    Lamine Yamal's record he snatched from Pele after 66 years has already been broken less than a year later

    Lamine Yamal broke Pele's long-standing record but the Spain sensation's achievement has already been eclipsed.

    Football
  • Lionel Messi aimed public dig at PSG as Inter Miami set up awkward Club World Cup reunion
  • Fans are all making the same point about Lionel Messi after Inter Miami are crushed by PSG in Club World Cup
  • Lionel Messi comments on PSG winning Champions League for the first time and his response speaks volumes
  • Fans slam Lionel Messi and accuse Inter Miami star of 'throwing punch' at PSG player during Club World Cup defeat