Paris, France – Lionel Messi’s last game for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) ended in a disappointing 3-2 defeat against Clermont at Parc des Princes on Saturday. The Ligue 1 champions squandered an early 2-0 lead, despite goals from Sergio Ramos and Kylian Mbappé within the first 21 minutes.
Messi’s departure from PSG was confirmed in a club statement prior to the match, announcing the conclusion of his “adventure” with the club at the end of the season. PSG president, Nasser al-Khelaifi, expressed gratitude for Messi’s contributions during his two-year stint, stating, “To see a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner in the Rouge & Bleu and at Parc des Princes, winning back-to-back Ligue 1 titles and inspiring our younger players has been a pleasure.”
Although Messi led Argentina to a World Cup victory less than six months ago, earning the Golden Ball in the process, his final season in Paris proved challenging. Despite scoring 21 goals and providing 20 assists across all competitions, contributing to PSG’s Ligue 1 title win, the club once again failed to advance beyond the Champions League’s last 16 – the most sought-after trophy for PSG.
Tensions between Messi and the club have surfaced in recent months, with some fans reportedly booing his name during matches, including his final game. Last month, Messi received a club-imposed suspension for an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia, resulting in a missed training session.
Speculation over Messi’s future has intensified amid rumors of a potential deal in the Middle East. However, the 35-year-old’s representatives have declined to comment on his career beyond PSG.
