Lionel Messi has been linked with MLS side Inter Miami and former club Barcelona, with the forward yet to agree to stay in Paris next term.
Christophe Galtier has no reservations over Lionel Messi’s commitment to Paris Saint-Germain after their UEFA Champions League exit, despite the Argentine entering the final four months of his contract.
Messi has agreed new terms with PSG before his contract expires at the end of June, while former Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos is in a similar situation.
Bayern Munich’s UEFA Champions League last-16 exit on Wednesday led to suggestions that PSG’s star-studded forward line of Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar could be broken up as part of the rebuild.
Despite PSG’s imminent exit from Europe, Galtier does not expect Messi and Ramos – both of whom have been linked with a move to MLS – to lower their standards in the coming weeks.
“There’s no doubt about these two great players with incredible track records who know this kind of situation,” Galtier told a press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Brest.
“They are very high-level players who move quickly from one game to the next. In terms of their contractual situation, they are used to living in the moment.”
Galtier also denied there was a need to convince Mbappe to stay at the Parc des Princes as PSG’s latest failure in the Champions League increased speculation he could be looking for an exit.
“I don’t have to try to convince Kylian Mbappe,” Galtier said. “Kylian is a Paris Saint-Germain player, he shows it every time he plays and he has a great determination to succeed and take the club as high as possible.”
PSG must now focus on Ligue 1, with Galtier’s men eight points clear at the summit as they chase a record 11th French title.
Galtier believes PSG’s success in the competition has been unfairly downplayed, highlighting the celebrations that accompany Bayern’s regular success in the Bundesliga and calling for the French top flight to be given more respect.
“If PSG win this title, it will be the 11th which has never been achieved in this country,” he said. “We should not diminish this achievement.
“Some of our players have extraordinary records but they are obsessed with adding this trophy, some of them have not won it yet. It is a very important thing.
“You all send the message that this league title is easy, but it’s not. I see what’s happening abroad. Bayern don’t win the Champions League every year.”
“But every time they win their league they have a big celebration, they share it with their supporters and everyone at the club.
“It has to be the same for us. We have to stop trivializing the fact that we are French champions. It’s not easy.”
