Lionel Messi’s team denies reports that the star has agreed a contract in Saudi Arabia for next season

(CNN) Lionel Messi’s representatives have quashed rumors that the Argentine has agreed to join the Saudi club after his contract at Paris Saint-Germain expires on June 30.

AFP told an unnamed source on Tuesday that Messi playing in Saudi Arabia next year was a “done deal”.

However, Messi’s team told CNN Sport that such allegations were false and that seven-time Ballon d’Or winner would not make a decision on his future until the Ligue 1 season is over.

Later on Tuesday, Messi’s father Jorge released a statement on the matter his Instagram story confirmed that the 35-year-old’s future had not been decided.

“There is no agreement with any club for next year. A decision will never be made until Lionel ends the league with PSG,” the statement read.

– When the season is over, it’s time to analyze and see what’s out there and then make a decision.

“There will always be rumours, and many people will use Lionel’s name to gain fame, but there is only one truth and we can assure you that there is nothing with anyone. Not verbally, not in writing, not agreed and there won’t be until the season is over.”

It comes amid mounting reports of an apparent breakdown in the relationship between Messi and PSG – highlighted by fans who praised the Argentine in the March match.

He was recently Interrupted by PSG for two weeks after leaving France to attend promotional events in Saudi Arabia; the unauthorized trip meant he missed practice.

“I had already planned this trip that I had canceled before and I couldn’t cancel this,” Messi, who has started training again with the team, said in an Instagram post last week.

“Once again, I want to apologize for my actions and I’m waiting for what the club decides.”

Does he stay in Paris or look elsewhere, Mess says he will continue to play as long as he continues to enjoy playing career.

“Football is something I’ve loved and enjoyed since I was a child,” Messi told Laureus presenter and CNN Sport anchor Amanda Davies when he was selected at the 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards on Monday.

“I love playing it and I love everyday life. My whole life was to enjoy what I like and that’s all I’m looking for: to keep enjoying, to keep playing, which always made me happy.

“As long as that’s the case, I’ll keep doing it.”

Messi also picked up the team of the year award for Argentina on Monday after the club’s epic World Cup triumph last year.

After a disappointing loss in Argentina’s opening game against Saudi Arabia, Messi was in mesmerizing form throughout the final tournament in Qatar, scoring two goals. the biggest World Cup final in history.

Although Argentina dominated the game for long periods, France Kylian Mbappe inspired a comeback in a game that was eventually decided by a penalty shootout.

“The truth is that we had a lot of confidence in ourselves before the World Cup,” Messi said, adding that there is something “special” about the current national team.

“Even though it started hard because of the first loss, we never stopped believing, dreaming, and when we were in the final, we were very sure that we were going to win.

“Actually, we had 80 minutes much better than France, and in 10 minutes the game was complicated for us.

“The whole team never went down, they responded again and that’s because of the strength and the mentality that group had in that World Cup.”

The World Cup was the only trophy that had eluded Messi until then, and winning it further cemented him as arguably the greatest player in history.

“It’s a very special moment in my career, in my life, and it’s always time to remember that moment from the World Cup, which we enjoy a lot for a month,” Messi said.

“There are always pleasant memories and they remain in life.”

Messi is the GOAT

But Messi, who had previously retired from international football in 2016 before “thankfully” reversing his decision, says being considered the greatest of all time has never been personally important to him.

“That wasn’t a thought I had throughout my career either, and I wasn’t looking for it,” he said.

“I’ve never played football because of that. But of course I’m grateful that people think like that.”