Lionel Messis Argentina clause in PSG contract to be used for the first time
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The unusual clause in Lionel Messi’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain is set to come into effect for the first time in the coming days.
Messi joined PSG on an initial two-year deal last month after his contract with Barcelona expired and the Catalan club failed to find a way to renew it.
The 34-year-old forward’s contract with the French giants is reportedly worth £21million (€25m) per year and included a hefty signing-on fee of £21m.
However, those were far from the only stipulations in his demands, with the Argentina international also including some more unique aspects.
According toTyC Sports, Messi was keen to make sure that the importance of Argentina is reflected in his club contract.
Messi has therefore made sure a clause is included which states that the Argentine national team is a priority for him over PSG.
Having won the Copa America for the first time following a dramatic 1-0 win over rivals Brazil in July, it is clear La Albiceleste mean a lot to him.
Messi had it put in writing that the Argentina national team would be his priority when it comes to playing official matches and friendly games.
He also added a further clause stating that the Argentina staff would have access to PSG's facilities when they needed them.
It hasn’t taken long for such a time to come along, with Argentina facing Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires in the early hours of Friday morning European time.
Will PSG win the Champions League this season now they have signed Lionel Messi? Have your say in the comments section below.
Meanwhile, PSG are readying themselves to host Clermont in Ligue 1 on Saturday at 4pm.
That is a fixture Mauricio Pochettino will surely have to do without Messi, while Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes are also likely to play for Argentina too and fellow compatriot Mauro Icardi is out with a shoulder injury.
The situation means that PSG fans will have to wait a longer for Messi's home debut at the Parc des Princes, while Neymar will also be missing on Saturday, given his involvement in Brazil's game against Peru on Friday.
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Messi made his PSG debut as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Reims on August 29, but is yet to kick into gear for his new side.
Meanwhile, Argentina have released Premier League quartet Emi Martínez, Emi Buendia, Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso from their squad following the fiasco involving Brazil on Sunday.
The Aston Villa and Tottenham players were at the heart of a dispute over coronavirus protocols which saw the World Cup qualifier suspended.
Fifa have now confirmed that disciplinary proceedings have been launched against both Brazil and Argentina over the incident.
- Ligue 1
- Lionel Messi
- Mauricio Pochettino
- World Cup
- PSG FC
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