Argentina’s captain and forward #10 Lionel Messi, his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and sons Thiago (center) and Ciro pose with the FIFA World Cup Trophy after Argentina won the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on December 18, 2022.
(AFP/Anne-Christine POUJOULAT )
L
ionel Messi will celebrate his World Cup triumph by agreeing to stay at Paris Saint-Germain, local media claimed Wednesday, as he attempts to steer the French side to an elusive Champions League title.
The 35-year-old, who led Argentina to victory in the World Cup final against France in Qatar last weekend, will pen a one-season extension to his current deal in the French capital which expires in the summer.
Le Parisian and RMC Sport reported that Messi will sit down with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and other top club officials when he returns after his World Cup break.
Messi joined PSG in 2021 on a two-season deal with an option for another year after having spent his entire professional career with Barcelona.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner collected four Champions League titles in 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015 in Spain as well as 10 La Liga crowns.
On Sunday, he inspired Argentina to a penalty shootout win over France in the World Cup final after the epic match had finished 3-3 in extra-time.
Messi, named player of the tournament, scored twice in the game with PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe grabbing a hat-trick for France.
Meanwhile, a day after Kylian Mbappe returned to work at Paris Saint-German, Brazilians Neymar and Marquinhos reported to the club's training centre on Thursday, according to PSG's social networks.
They "are back at the Training Center!", the club tweeted, 13 days after Brazil's penalty shoot-out elimination against Croatia in the World Cup quarter-finals.
On PSG's Instagram account, Marquinhos was seen performing various physical exercises but the club did not specify whether Neymar, who suffered a sprained ankle at the World Cup, was following an individual recovery programme.
Messi remains in Argentina where the country has been celebrating his team's success in Qatar and is not expected back in Paris before the new year.
PSG, who are five points clear at the top of Ligue 1, reboot their season when they host struggling Strasbourg on December 28.