Six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, who has played for Spanish club Barcelona for 17 years, since the start of his football career, joined his new club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Tuesday, where he will be paid less than his friend and star striker Neymar. Messi's total salary will be 35 million euros net per season (approximately three billion rupees), including bonuses, which is less than Neymar (37 million euros i.e. about three billion 22 crore rupees) net per season.
The 34-year-old Argentina forward Messi signed a two-year deal with PSG on Tuesday. The contract, reportedly, also has an option for extending Messi's association with PSG for a third year as well.
Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday introduced Messi in front of 50,000 spectators at the Parc des Princes stadium ahead of Saturday's match against Strasbourg. A horde of fans greeted the legendary footballer upon his introduction at PSG. Messi's introduction at PSG saw a passionate crowd welcoming him with flags, banners and flares shouting "Meeeessiiii! Meeeessssiiii!" The grand reception Messi received from his die-hard fans was out of this world.
Meanwhile, a video has gone viral on social media in which Messi can be seen acknowledging his Malayali fans who were shouting his name from the hotel balcony adjacent to star footballer.
With the arrival of Messi, PSG now has one of the strongest attacks in the world, which includes superstars like Lionel Messi, Neymar, Argentina's Angel Di Maria and France's star striker Kylian Mbappe. After joining PSG, Messi said, "Everything related to the club matches my expectations of football. I am committed to helping achieve something special for the club and the fans."