This Afternoon Lionel Messi Talks About His Move To PSG, Pochettino Is Excited Again, Koeman Thanks La Pulga

Lionel Messi. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - As Lionel Messi prepares to bid farewell to Barcelona at a press conference this afternoon, French fans and media alike are salivating over the impact of the superstar's possible arrival at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will have on the club and the French league.

According to Antara, the 34-year-old will receive questions from the press on Sunday, August 8 this afternoon, Barcelona said. It will be his first public comment since was announced his departure.

Meanwhile, PSG appears to be closing in on a deal to sign the Argentine superstar with Qatari club president Nasser al-Khelaifi and sporting director Leonardo both missing from the game in which his side won 2-1 against Troyes in the Ligue 1 season opener a few hours ago.

"There are a lot of rumors. A lot of things are being talked about," PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino was quoted as saying by AFP.

"I just hope we will be strong enough to try to win every competition we enter."

The La Pulga player was previously expected to stay at Barcelona for a much lower salary, but president Joan Laporta on Friday said he was not prepared to "danger the club" by renewing Messi's contract as they face huge financial problems.

Many in Catalonia struggle to accept the departure of the 34-year-old who has been with the club since signing as a 13-year-old.

"Still hard to understand you won't be playing for @FCBarcelona again," tweeted coach Ronald Koeman, whose goal saw Barca win their first European Cup in 1992.

"Thank you for everything you have done for our club Leo. I really enjoyed the full season we worked together. I am impressed by your work ethic and desire to win."

With Manchester City coach and Messi's former mentor, Pep Guardiola, saying the Premier League champions will not buy Messi, Qatari owners backed PSG are the only deep-pocketed suitors for Messi, who in Spain reportedly earns more than 70 million euros. net per year.

Barcelona-based daily Sport confirmed Saturday that "for now, Messi has not been offered to any club."

But Laporta indicated Friday that Messi "has other offers and there is a deadline because La Liga is starting soon and he needs time to assess his other options."

Messi has lifted the Champions League trophy four times with Barcelona and PSG are desperate for that great experience to lead them to the award.

His former Barcelona team-mate, Neymar did not want to hide his joy at being able to reunite with Messi.

Messi will also partner with his Argentina teammate Angel di Maria and youngster Kylian Mbappe who is expected to replace Messi as the leading player on the planet.

Another attraction is Pochettino who like Messi started his career at Newell's Old Boys in Rosario, Argentina.

"Messi to Paris, yes," Le Parisien wrote in the headline, calling Messi's move a "marriage of love and common sense.

Sports daily L'Equipe reports Messi will receive a "massive contract" for three years. Various reports say he will earn 35 million euros per season.

Other French clubs welcomed Messi's entry into Ligue 1.

"For me, he is the best player in the world. If he comes to Ligue 1 anyone who likes football will enjoy it," said Lyon coach Peter Bosz.

Le Parisien reports Messi's father and agent, Jorge, have contacted PSG after it became clear that the player would not remain in Catalonia.

Messi initially reached an agreement with Barcelona to sign a five-year contract with a contract value of 50 percent lower per year.

However, La Liga's financial fair play rules are expected to reduce the amount Barca can spend on wages this season by around 200 million euros, leading Laporta to conclude they cannot complete the deal.

"We cannot accommodate Messi's contract," said Laporta, who was re-elected president of the club in March. Last Friday he said he would not "pawn up" Barca for anyone.

"The situation we have inherited is dire and the player's salary bill accounts for 110 percent of the club's revenue."

"La Liga rules set limits and we have no margin. We've known the situation since we arrived but the numbers we saw turned out to be worse than we thought."

Barcelona has a total debt of almost 1.2 billion euros with more than half to be repaid in the short term.

"Leo wants to stay and he's not happy," admits Laporta of a player who has broken many records in his 17 years with Barca, scoring at least 672 goals to earn what Laporta called a "thank you forever" from the club.