Spanish football expert: Lionel Messi has not decided on future despite reports

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has refuted claims that Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi has made any decision about his playing future. 

"Anyone that says Messi has decided one way or the other would be lying," Balague told BBC Sport on Thursday. "He will take a decision at some point of course but the priority is to stay in the elite game until 2024 and the Copa America, which puts PSG still in the forefront." 

Messi's status has generated headlines throughout the week after reports surfaced stating that he is unlikely to extend his PSG stay beyond the expiration of his contract at the end of the ongoing season. It was later said that the 35-year-old was closing in on a move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal and that he was ready to accept a proposal worth as much as $438M per year. 

Messi left Barcelona as a free agent in the summer of 2021 due to financial issues that likely will prevent the Catalan club from re-signing him before the 2023-24 campaign. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has repeatedly been linked with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami since even before his Barca tenure ended, and Miguel Delaney of The Independent has reported that the MLS side is willing to offer Messi "an equity stake in the club to convince him to join this summer." 

Like Balague, though, Delaney said Messi likely wants to remain in Europe for another year to once again play in the UEFA Champions League. Messi has already hoisted the Champions League trophy on four occasions. 

As for Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly making around $213M per year while playing for Al-Nassr.

"Barcelona have made no offer, the offer from Inter [Miami] is very clear and has been for a while and then the other offer for 400M-plus wouldn't keep Messi in the elite but it is a crazy financial package and the possibility of playing against Ronaldo again," Balague said. "So that's where we stand."