PARIS, Aug 11 (Reuters) – French club Paris Saint-Germain are pleased to sign Lionel Messi on Wednesday and said they are ready to help their side win their first Champions League title.
The Argentine striker agreed to stay at his old club Barcelona after his expiration in late June, but last week agreed that the Spanish club could not pay his salary without violating the financial terms of Spanish football.
He signed on Tuesday A two-year contract with the Parisians with a one-third share option.
Symbolic number
“That’s why I’m here. It’s an ambitious club,” Messi said. He will wear the number 30, which was number one on Barcelona’s first team in 2006.
“They seem ready to fight for everything.”
My dream is to win another Champions League, I think this is the best place to do this. ”
He admitted he did not know when he could make his debut, as he has not played since Argentina beat Copa America with his country last month.
“I’m coming back from vacation. I need a little seasonality. I can introduce myself soon, but I can’t give a date. It’s up to the coaches.”
On top of the fans
Many are wondering how PSG can sign Messi while respecting the UEFA rules on the Financial Fair (UFF). However, the club’s president and CEO, Nasser al-Khalifi, who sat next to Messi, insisted that the deal was subject to his funding.
“We are always focused on the financial fair game. We must first check with the business, financial and legal administration whether anyone can do it before signing up,” he said.
“I think the media should focus on the positive.
Al-Khalifa was supported by thousands of enthusiastic fans gathered outside the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, beating drums, waving flags and chanting Messi’s name.
“I’m so grateful to people, it’s crazy,” Messi said.
“I was in Barcelona. People were already on the streets. I want to thank them and we are going to enjoy it so much. I hope it will be a good year for them and at the sports level.”
Nelson Tross, a 17 – year – old PSG fan, told Reuters: “Why do I love him? Because he makes us dream. He’s a magician, a genius.”
“He’s the best player in the world,” said 19-year-old Sofian Achchi. “We want him to win the Champions League with PSG.”
New challenge
Messi cried on Sunday when saying goodbye to Barcelona fans that he has been a member since he was 13 and that despite his sadness he has agreed to face a new challenge as they understand his decision.
“I already told the Parsa fan before I left. I will always be grateful. That was my home. I lived there a lot of things,” he said.
“Bar பார்a fans know I’m going to join a good club, I’m going to fight for the Champions League because they know me, I want to win, I’m a winner, I want to continue to do that.”
“They know I’ve going to be a strong team. They know me, they know I want to win. I want to continue to achieve goals. We do not know if we’ve going to face each other. It’s rare to wear a shirt and play at home, but it’s football, it can happen.
(Report by Sudip Kar-Gupta; Editing by Richard Locke; Editing by Alison Williams; Translated by Thomas Gobos)
(Video) Messi’s first day as a PSG player
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