Lionel Messi arrived at Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year contract this summer and recent reports claimed there is a lucrative third year included in his deal with the Ligue 1 giants
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Lionel Messi greets Paris crowds with a smile
Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has shot down reports Lionel Messi has been promised a third season at the club.
Messi, 34, joined the Ligue 1 giants on a free transfer this summer after leaving Barcelonahaving been unable to sign a new deal at Camp Nou.
The Argentina captain signed a two-year contract with PSG worth a reported £25million per season and it has been claimed there is the option for a third year at the Parc des Princes.
A recent report in French newspaper L’Equipe claimed Messi will earn £34million during his prospective third season with the club, while he will also pocket a yearly bonus of £13million.
But Leonardo insists there is no agreement in place for Messi to spend a third season at PSG as he slammed a lack of “respect” for the confidential clauses of his contract.
“We can’t accept this,” said Leonardo in response to recent speculation surrounding Messi. “This is unacceptable. This is completely false.
“I wanted to tell you that. I think it’s a lack of respect and we didn’t like it. I don’t understand the timing. This is really very far from the truth, on the duration and the numbers.
“There are confidentiality clauses, but I can say that this is not the truth. The duration of the contract is two years. It’s wrong, it’s not that, and we didn’t like it.”
Messi has made two appearances for PSG, coming off the bench against Reims in Ligue 1 and starting against Club Brugge in the Champions League.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner is still waiting for his first goal or assist for his new club and drew criticism for lacking threat against the Brugge.
How many trophies will Lionel Messi win with PSG? Comment below.
But PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino is confident Messi will soon find his feet as he prepares to make his home debut against Lyon on Sunday.
“We lacked solidity against Club Brugge,” said Pochettino on Saturday. “A less than ideal performance doesn’t mean that it will happen every match. It doesn’t mean it will happen again in the future.
“There is the possibility of trying different systems, but the changes depend on the form and needs of the players as well.”
Pochettino added: “[Messi] is calm. He thinks it could be his [home] debut in front of his fans and he knows that can be something very special.
“But the most important thing is that the team is focused on the match to improve on our showing in the Champions League and, of course, win the game.”
PSG have a 100 per cent record in Ligue 1 having won all five of their domestic fixtures so far.
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