Lionel Messi agrees to two-year, $80 million deal with PSG

Lionel Messi has officially moved on from Barcelona. 

Messi and Paris Saint-Germain have agreed to terms on a two-year contract that will pay the six-time Ballon d’Or winner $29 million per year. He will also earn a sign-on fee of $29 million and has a potential third year option at the same rate. 

On Tuesday, Messi arrived in Paris via a private aircraft, sporting a “This is Paris” t-shirt. PSG will hold a press conference to formally introduce Messi on Wednesday. 

Last Thursday, FC Barcelona announced that “financial and structural obstacles” precluded the club from signing Messi to a new contract and retaining the superstar for a 21st season. The 34-year-old maintained that he “did everything” to remain at the club, including agreeing in principle to a 50% wage cut. 

With PSG, Messi will reunite with Neymar, with whom he won a pair of La Liga titles and the Champions League during their four-year stint together at Camp Nou. 

PSG and Manchester City were initially seen as the two likeliest landing spots for Messi. During a farewell press conference on Sunday, Messi conceded that “a lot of clubs” were showing interest in his talents.