Ligue 1

Messi to PSG: Two conditions regarding Argentina national team in the contract

Lionel Messi has joinedPSG in one of the most shocking movesof all time. The former Barcelona star, however, has signed with Paris Saint-Germain under two conditions regarding the Argentina national team.

Updated on
August 23, 2021 09:46AM EDT

Lionel Messi will begin a new adventure in PSG following the 2021 Copa America success with Argentina. (Getty)

When Barcelona announcedLionel Messi wouldn’t re-sign with the club, all the eyes were on PSG, who have been long admirers of the 34-year-old legend. Ultimately, he joined Paris Saint-Germain, butunder two conditions regarding the Argentina national team.

The Rosario-born megastar has always been extremely committed to La Albiceleste, showing up every time they’ve called him and makinginternational successhis main priority. Even though we’re talking about one of the best players in history, Messi’s road to his first major tournament with Argentina was tough.

Leo had finally tasted glory at the international stage in 2021 Copa America, breaking a 28-year course for his country.Messi agreed to sign with PSGas long as they’d grant him two conditions about the national team.

The two conditions forMessi to join PSG

Lionel Messi has signed for PSG to begin a new chapter in his career. (Getty)

There’s a clause in Lionel Messi’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain that gives priority to his participation with Argentina, regardless of the dates and the club’s intentions.

Therefore, PSG wouldn’t be able toprevent Messi from joining the national team no matter if it’s a friendly or an official game. That’s a huge decision considering the French side has forbidden Neymar and Kylian Mbappe from participating in the Olympics, for instance.

The other condition from Messi is that the Argentina national team’s medical staff have access to PSG’s facilities so that they can be close to him. Messi’s happiness in the 2021 Copa America final showed how much he cares for his national team, in case someone doubted it. Now, he seems to be thinking seriously about Qatar 2022 while he tries to make a great impression in Paris.

Martín O’donnell

Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of soccer, NFL, and NBA, with a specialty in real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Editor, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis.