Not everything has gone to plan for Lionel Messi since the Argentine superstar joined Paris Saint-Germain last year.
After ending his lengthy stay at Barcelona, Messi was hoping to excel for PSG, but even though he has had some inspired moments, there have also been some difficult times for the 34-year-old legend. He emerged as more of a facilitator for the star-studded side than a goal scorer, registering more assists (13) than goals (9) with four matches remaining in 2021-22.
In his first season away from FC Barcelona, Messi did lift silverware: He won the French Ligue 1 title, but he could not help the Parisian heavyweights get past the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League or the French Cup (Coupe de France). The Champions League ouster at the hands of Real Madrid could lead to big changes at PSG during the summer.
Here's an assessment of Messi's situation at PSG and a look at what the future could hold for him.
How many goals has Messi scored at PSG?
Messi excelled in the Champions League group stage, scoring five goals in six games for PSG, but they were knocked out by Real Madrid in the Round of 16, with Messi not scoring in either leg.
In Ligue 1 Messi has scored just three times — he is on track for his lowest scoring league season since 2004-05 (his first in senior football), when he was a youngster and made just seven appearances in La Liga.
He has, however, managed to provide 13 assists in the league this season. Messi and PSG claimed the Ligue 1 title with four matches left in the season thanks to a double-digit lead over Marseille at the top of the table.
Messi has been used across the attacking front during his eight months in Paris: He's mainly featured on the right wing, and on other occasions he has played behind the striker, or even as a false nine.
Messi's salary at PSG
Messi reportedly earns £25 million ($32 million) a season as a base salary after tax.
At the time of his signing with PSG, insiders indicated that he also got a cut of player image rights and jersey sales, with the potential of bumping his annual salary into the $75-million range.
That PSG money is chump change compared to what Messi made in his last contract with Barcelona. According to a report by Spanish daily El Mundo, which published details of the leaked 30-page contract that Messi had with his former club, that deal provided the player with a $161 million annual base salary, a $135 million signing bonus and a $91 million-plus loyalty payment.
How much did Messi cost PSG?
Messi joined PSG on a free transfer after his Barcelona contract expired in June 2021.
He signed a two-season deal with PSG until June 2023 with an option to extend for a third season. Messi's signing-on fee was reported to be in the range of £25 million ($32 million).
For weeks leading up to his shock move to France, the popular sentiment was that Messi and Barcelona would find a way to fit his salary into a revamped budget given the constraints forced upon the club by revenue shortfalls instigated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the club and player ultimately came to the conclusion that it was best for him to depart and in a teary press conference he said farewell to the only club he knew as a professional.
Will Messi leave PSG in the 2022 summer transfer window?
At present, although Messi's first season at PSG has been far from his best, there isn't much speculation linking him with a move away from the club.
A Sky Sports report indicated that he would instead remain for a second season with the squad built around him. The same report indicated that the club would entertain a potential Neymar departure, while Kylian Mbappe is rumored to be leaving when his contract expires in June 2022.
Other reports have suggested that several of Messi's Argentine compatriots could also be heading out. PSG could transfer Angel Di Maria, Mauro Icardi and Leandro Paredes, and Argentine manager Mauricio Pochettino has also been rumored to be on his way out despite having a year remaining on his contract.
Messi and his teammates have had to endure jeers from his own supporters since the club's Champions League ouster. They were booed by PSG fans in a 3-0 win over Bordeaux in March 2022 in the first match after the elimination from the continental tournament the team has never won.
Could Messi return to Barcelona?
If Messi does leave PSG by mutual consent, there would be no shortage of clubs lining up to land the Argentina superstar, who is expected to play in his final World Cup tournament with Argentina in November 2022.
One possible destination could be Newell's Old Boys, the Argentinian club in which he played in the academy ranks from 1995 to 2000.
Newell's president Ignacio Astore reiterated the club's desire to bring Messi back. As reported by AS, he said: "It would be a double pleasure for me, as president of Newell's, to bring a player of his characteristics in, for him to wear the shirt so that his fans can see him as well.
"What I do know is that it depends on him, beyond any call that we can make. It depends on what he thinks, how he sees the city, the country, his family and his situation after the World Cup. He simply has to open the door to join Newell's."
MLS, and potentially Inter Miami, the MLS side part-owned by David Beckham, could also be an eventual option for Messi.
Inter Miami CEO spoke about the possibility of signing Messi. Mas told the Miami Herald: "Leo Messi is still one of the best players in the world, his skills have not diminished.
"I think, and David has a relationship with him, if he does leave PSG, at the time he leaves it, we'd love to see Lionel Messi be a player at Inter Miami and be part of our community.
"Can it happen? Look, we'll push. I'm an optimist at heart. Could I see that happening? It's a possibility."
The more romantic move would see him make a return to Barcelona, which is now coached by his former teammate Xavi Hernandez. The latter left the door open for Messi to go back.
"I think Messi is the best in history and in the history of the club," Xavi said. "The doors will be open and as long as I'm a coach, it's as if he can come every day if he wants.
"As a club we owe him a great tribute. He has a contract with PSG and I can't do much more."