PSG Violated FFP When Signing Messi? Nassir Al-Khelaifi: We Know The Rules, We Have The Capacity To Sign Him

Nassir Al-Khelaifi, Lionel Messi and Leonardo (Instagram @leomessi)

JAKARTA - Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi insists that signing a superstar player like Lionel Messi does not make his club violate UEFA's Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.

The 34-year-old Argentine striker is PSG's latest signing after they signed Achraf Hakimi from Inter for 60 million euros (around IDR 1.01 trillion) as well as Sergio Ramos, Georginio Wijnaldum and Gianluigi Donnarumma on free transfers this summer.

Meanwhile, the high salaries of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe at PSG have raised questions about how the French club can afford Messi a big salary without violating UEFA's financial rules.

"Regarding the financial aspect, I will explain: we know the rules of Financial Fair Play and we will always follow those rules," Al-Khelaifi said when asked by reporters about whether PSG violated FFP rules when signing Messi.

"Before we do anything, we check with our commercial, financial and legal people," he continued.

“We have the capacity to sign him. If we sign Leo it's because we can, otherwise we wouldn't."

"What Leo has brought to the club is huge, as you can see on the outside. He is a huge asset to the club."

Al-Khelaifi said people would be "surprised" by the financial income Messi would bring to the club, joking: "I hope Leo won't ask for a higher salary."

While the Ligue 1 side don't have to pay a transfer fee to land the six-time Ballon d'Or winner, Messi's high salary could drain the club's budget.

Messi signed a two-year contract with the option of a one-year extension, with an estimated value of around 35 million euros (590 billion) per season.

Al-Khelaifi said the presidents of another French Ligue 1 club thanked PSG for bringing Messi to the country as the Argentine star was able to attract new audiences from all over the world to watch Ligue 1.

“In terms of the impact on Ligue 1, I think this competition has gone up a notch. In TV rights too, I hope, or in commercial partnerships," he added.

"Everyone now wants to see Messi at PSG, who increases the value of other clubs."

"The other presidents thanked me for Leo's arrival. We are not only doing this for the club, but also for France and Ligue 1."