Lionel Messi has agreed a two-year contract to join PSG and has chosen to wear the No.30 shirt, with his move to the French club set to be announced.
Messi confirmed he would be leaving Barcelona after 21 years at the club during a his press conference on Sunday, receiving a standing ovation from the players, legends, coaches and board members in attendance.
Reports emerged that the club’s hierarchy made one last attempt to convince Messi to stay last night, but it was to no avail.
And on Tuesday, L’Equipe reported that Messi had reached a full agreement with PSG on a two-year deal – with an option for a third.
The Argentine superstar had still been at his home in Barcelona but as soon as the deal was struck, the 34-year-old travelled to Paris to be officially unveiled.
He will earn around €40m (£33m) per season after tax, in addition to a huge signing-on fee, and PSG have already been installed as the bookie’s favourite to win the Champions League this season.
Messi has worn the No.10 for most of his career – for Barcelona and Argentina – but turned down Neymar’s offer to take the number at PSG.
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Instead, Argentinian journalist Veronica Brunati has revealed that Messi chose the No.30, which is generally reserved for the goalkeepers in Ligue 1.
The number has special significance for the former Barca star, having worn it in his debut season with the Spanish club in 2004 – 17 years ago.
Messi had also looked at the No.19, which he wore for two years before inheriting the No.10 shirt from Ronaldinho when he left to join AC Milan in 2008, but he has chosen the No.30.
Messi’s signing rounds off a superb window for PSG, who also signed Donnarumma, Wijnaldum and Sergio Ramos on free transfers as well as signing Achraf Hakimi from Inter Milan.
