Lionel Messi Will Bring Paris Saint-Germain Shocking Revenue, PSG President Says

Paris Saint-Germain has officially signed Lionel Messi to a lucrative contract. The deal is expected to be a boon for PSG, according to team president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

Messi was officially introduced as PSG’s newest signing at a press conference Wednesday. The two-year deal will reportedly pay the soccer legend $41 million per year with an option for a third season. The contract includes a reported $30 million signing fee.

Al-Khelaifi told reporters that they would be “shocked” by how much revenue PSG will generate by signing Messi.

“I just hope [Messi] will not ask for more salary,” Al-Khelaifi joked.

In the 24 hours after it signed Cristiano Ronaldo three years ago, Juventus sold more than $60 million worth of the soccer star’s shirts, according to CNBC. In 2019, ESPN pegged Messi as the world’s third-most famous athlete behind only LeBron James and Ronaldo.

Messi will earn much less than he did under his previous contract. The 34-year-old had a four-year deal worth $674 million with Barcelona that expired earlier this summer. Messi was set to re-sign with Barcelona and take a 50% pay cut, but La Liga’s financial rules forced him to hit the open market.

"My exit from Barca was very tough, after so many years, but as soon as I arrived here I was so happy, so motivated, so excited. It has happened so fast, but I am enjoying it so much," Messi said.

"My goal and my dream is to win the Champions League once more. I think that we have the team to do it here.”