Hero’s Welcome for ‘King’ Messi in Paris

*PSG officially announce his signing, to address press today

Femi Solajawith agency report

After savoring the joy of landing football’s most celebrated personality at the moment, Paris Saint-Germain last night officially announced signing Argentine legend,Lionel Messi, in a deal to run till 2023.

The French capital city club made the official announcement in a two-minute video which finally unveiled Messi at the end of the clip.

Messi who will be officially unveiled to fans at Parc des Princes at midday today is to wear jersey number 30 instead of his traditional Number 10 that Brazilian Neymar has been wearing since crossing over from Barcelona to PSG in a record transfer.

Messi left Barca – the only club he has played for – as they were unable to afford a new deal under La Liga’s financial fair play rules.

And speaking about his move to PSG, Messi said:”I am impatient to start a new chapter of my career in Paris. The club and its vision are in perfect harmony with my ambitions.

“I know how talented the players and staff are here. I am determined to build, alongside them, something great for the club and for the fans. I can’t wait to set foot on the Parc des Princes pitch.”

Messi becomes PSG’s fourth free-transfer signing this summer after the arrivals of Netherlands midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, Spain defender Sergio Ramos and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Highly rated Morocco right-back Achraf Hakimi also joined from Inter Milan.

Messi will play in a front three alongside the two most expensive players of all time – Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

He could make his PSG debut at home to Strasbourg on Saturday.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner received a hero’s welcome after touching down in France yesterday to start a new life at PSG.

The deal is believed to be around €35million (about $55.7 million) net per season, add-ons included.

Wearing a T-shirt that read “This is Paris,” Messi beamed and waved at scores of fans who had come to greet him at Le Bourget airport on the outskirts of the French capital after his flight from Barcelona.

Chanting “Messi, Messi, Messi,” the fans cheered and let off firecrackers.

“It’s going to be mad. After all, it’s a legend who is arriving,” said Florent Chauveau, a PSG fan who has been back and forth to the airport every day since Sunday in the hope of seeing Messi arrive.

Messi gave no details of the deal, which was reached days after Barcelona said it could not afford to keep the midfielder because of Spain’s La Liga’s fair play rules.

But his father, speaking to reporters at Barcelona’s airport, confirmed reports by French newspaper L’Equipe and Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo that Messi had reached an agreement with PSG, which is owned by Qatar Sports Investment.

BBC Sport columnist Guillem Balague, confirmed yesterday that Messi has agreed a two-year deal to join Paris St-Germain following his shock exit from Barcelona. He added that the deal, has the option of a third year.

Considered one of the greatest players of all time, Messi scored a record 672 goals in 778 games for Barca, the club he joined as a 13-year-old.

He won the Ballon d’Or a record six times and lifted 35 trophies with the Catalan club.

…His Posters Removed from Barcelona’s Nou Camp

Few minutes after Lionel Messi flew into Paris to seal a two-year PSG deal, the face of the Argentine was removed from outside Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old’s shock departure from the Spanish side was announced last week and Messi waved goodbye to the club he spent his entire career at in an emotional press conference on Sunday.

An emotional Messi broke down in tears at the farewell press conference and called for ‘humility and respect’ from the club after he left.

UK’s Sportsmailrevealed yesterday that he is set to commit to French side PSG on a two-year contract worth £1m a week and Barcelona have started their new era by removing pictures of their former captain from the club’s surroundings.

Messi took centre stage in a large image of multiple Barcelona stars including goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter-Stegen, Gerard Pique and Antoine Griezmann, but construction workers took down the strips showing Messi’s face.

The entire posters on the side of Barcelona’s 99,000-seater stadium have been removed following Messi’s departure, while club officials were also seen taking down smaller, street-side posters with the Argentina’s face on them.