Leandro Paredes says Paris Saint-Germain asked him not to talk about Messi anymore amid ongoing speculation about Barcelona’s future superstar.
Messi is connected with PSG
Ahead of the summer transfer window, with the 33-year-old recruiting becoming a free agent at the end of June if he chooses not to sign a Camp Nou renewal. The likes of Neymar, Angel Di Maria and Paredes have all publicly hailed the prospect of Messi joining PSG, who have since taken steps to prevent their players from playing a possible turn for the six-time winner of the Ballon d’Or. Paredes said in December: “Messi at PSG? I hope we all want him to come. Hopefully Leo will make the best decision for him, but we will welcome him with open arms. The Argentine midfielder has now revealed that PSG officials slapped him on the wrists for his comments: They asked me not to talk about it anymore. People didn’t like my position on what I said. Some people thought it was disrespectful. For me it wasn’t so. Messi must calmly decide at the end of the season what he wants to do with his future.”
Messi shocked the football world
After filing in the official transfer to ask for Camp Nou back in August, only to reverse his decision next month amid pressure from Barca and La Liga officials. The Blaugrana captain has promised to stay in place for at least one more season, but has left the door open for a potential starting this year, admitting that MLS has a lot of appeal for him as a possible next destination. “I have always said that I have the impression that I would like to enjoy the experience of living in the USA, but if it happens or not, I don’t know,” Messi La Sexta said during the winter break. “I don’t have anything clear until the end of the year, I will wait for the end of the season.” Messi has succeeded in blocking escalating transfer rumors to play a key role in the creation of Barca’s once again this timeframe, scoring 25 goals in 35 appearances in all competitions. The Argentine international also laid on 11 assists, helping Ronald Koeman’s fight for the Champions League title and advance to the Cup del Rey final, but was powerless to prevent the team from suffering the last-16 exit from the Champions League at the hands of PSG last week.