Lionel Messi will bid farewell to Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday. Coach Christophe Galtier confirmed this on Thursday at the press conference of the French champion.
PSG confirms Messi’s exit
The departure of Messi from Paris has been in the air for a long time, but has now been made official by his trainer. “I’ve had the honour of training the best player in football history,” said Galtier.
The 35-year-old Argentinian has an expiring contract at the Parc des Princes. It is not yet clear where his future lies. Barcelona would like to bring back the world star, but a more lucrative adventure in Saudi Arabia also beckons.
Messi had a productive season at PSG. In Ligue 1 he provided sixteen goals and sixteen assists. On Saturday he says goodbye to the public in a home game against mid-engine Clermont Foot. Messi, who became world champion in Qatar in December, was in his second season in Paris.
PSG waives the championship party due to the situation of Sergio Rico
The championship parade of Paris Saint-Germain, which was initially planned for Saturday, has been cancelled. The club considers it inappropriate now that reserve goalkeeper Sergio Rico is in hospital.
The players of Paris Saint-Germain were given a few days off after winning the championship. The 29-year-old goalkeeper used those days for a pilgrimage from his hometown of Seville to El Rocio. According to various Spanish and French media, an accident with a horse took place there, after which he was transported by helicopter to the hospital in Seville.
PSG manager Christophe Galtier announced at the press conference in the run-up to Saturday’s game with Clermont Foot that the championship party has therefore been cancelled. He said, “Our thoughts are especially with him, with his wife, his mother and his family. We try to do our best on the field, but it’s difficult.”
His old club Sevilla encouraged Rico prior to the Europa League final against AS Roma. The players entered the field in a shirt that read: “Vamos Sergio, we are behind you”. Rico played for Sevilla for seven and a half years. In 2019 he made the switch to Paris Saint-Germain, where he has usually been a reserve keeper in recent seasons.
His wife Alba Silva confirmed via Instagram the suspicions that Rico is still not doing well. She said, “Thank you for all the love you share with us. Sergio has many people praying for him and he is very strong. I have no words to describe what I feel. Don’t leave me, my love, for I tell you I can’t. I don’t know how to live without you. We are waiting for you, we love you very much!”
