Is Lionel Messi Just in It for the Money? PSG Star Criticized for Salary Demands and Lack of Harmony with Club

Lionel Messi, a money-hungry mercenary? If Jérôme Rothen has his way, definitely. In any case, the ex-PSG player, who was active for the capital city from 2004 to 2010, did not hold back in criticizing the Argentine superstar.

“I’m at a loss for words. That’s completely inappropriate,” Rothen said of the 35-year-old’s high salary demands. According to “Le Parisien”, Messi and PSG had already verbally agreed on a contract extension before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. After winning the tournament, however, the Argentine would have turned down the club’s previous offer. He is currently said to earn around 37 million euros a year.

His departure from Barcelona had already left a stale aftertaste. In the summer of 2021, the Catalans couldn’t afford a new contract for Messi, as a result he moved to the French capital on a free transfer.

Bitter memories, which Rothen also emphasized again: “He didn’t come for the right reasons, just because of the finances. In Barcelona you know exactly why he left.”

Messi and PSG – not a love affair

Despite decent performances and 20 goals in 36 competitive games this season – the relationship between Messi and PSG never seemed really harmonious. Especially in the Champions League games, the seven-time winner of the Ballon d’Or remained pale.

“When it was difficult in the group stage against Benfica, we didn’t see a great Leo Messi. Against Juventus – and it wasn’t a particularly good Juve – we didn’t see a great Leo Messi. And in the most important duel with Bayern (in the round of 16 the Champions League, editor’s note) we didn’t see a great Leo Messi either,” Rothen said accordingly.

Should PSG and Messi fail to agree on a new deal, he could leave the French side on a free transfer in the summer. Messi is rumored to have an offer from Saudi Arabia. Ironically, Messi could earn 400 million euros a year at the Al-Hilal club of his long-time arch-rival for the throne in world football, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Inconceivable if the two best kickers of modern times would play together in a team in the desert in the future.