On Tuesday night, Lionel Messi signed his long-awaited contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), bringing an end to a career-long affiliation with Barcelona and propelling PSG into a new era.
PSG said in a statement that the 34-year-old Argentina star signed a two-year deal with the option for a third season.
“I am excited to begin a new chapter of my career at Paris Saint-Germain,” Messi said.
“Everything about the club matches my football ambitions. I know how talented the squad and the coaching staff are here. I am determined to help build something special for the club and the fans, and I am looking forward to stepping out onto the pitch at the Parc des Princes.”
Lionel Messi will be unveiled by PSG at a press conference they have called for 11:00 am (0900 GMT) Wednesday.
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Messi arrived in Paris on a private jet earlier in the day with his wife and three children, waving to hundreds of supporters gathered outside the airport before being whisked to a private hospital for a medical. He later waved to dozens of fans who had assembled beneath the balcony of his hotel room.
Neymar and Mbappe were already the two most expensive soccer players in history, and the addition of Messi to Mauricio Pochettino’s PSG line-up could rival the unstoppable triumvirate that he formed at Barcelona with Neymar and Luis Suarez.
Lionel Messi is among the most expensive footballers due to his stats and Paris Saint-Germain was the only side to have afforded a deal that is said to be around 35 million euros ($41 million) a year.
Messi, who won four Champions Leagues and 10 domestic league titles with Barcelona, joins several other big names arriving at PSG on a free transfer this summer.