The latest reports in French Ligue one claimed that the league might have to set aside a rule which banned the use of shirt number 30 for players for the sake of Lionel Messi who has accepted Paris Saint Germain’s two-year deal.
Lionel Messi is on the verge of completing his move to the French club after he ended his 21 years relationship with FC Barcelona this summer.
During his last press conference at Barcelona on Thursday, Lionel Messi confirmed that his potential move to PSG is a possibility but added that other clubs have shown interest in him.
Afterward, it was reported that Lionel Messi and his representatives have agreed to PSG’s two-year deal which would see him earn €35 million per season including add-ons.
There are also reports that the Argentina international would be in Paris later today, August 10, to complete his medical and he might be announced as a PSG player anytime soon.
As it stands, Messi’s surest destination is Paris and the conversation has moved on to the shirt number that the 34-year-old Argentine football icon might wear when he sealed his deal with PSG.
Messi wore shirt number 10 at FC Barcelona and in his national team. But he might not have the opportunity to wear the shirt number at PSG because the club’s talisman, Neymar is already wearing the shirt number at the club.
Reports claimed that Neymar who is a close associate of Messi and his former teammate at Barcelona has attempted to offer the shirt number to the Argentine football star. However, Messi reportedly refused to accept the offer.
Hence, the two options left for him are to use shirt number 30 which was his first shirt number at Barcelona, or shirt number 19 which was his second shirt number at the Spanish club before he was given the legendary shirt number 10 which was worn by Ronaldinho.
According to a report by a Spanish publication, Marca, PSG have offered Messi shirt number 30 and the Argentina international is likely to accept the shirt number. This is contrary to the initial reports that Messi wanted shirt number 19.
Reports in France confirmed that if Messi and PSG agree on shirt number 30, the league football governing body would not stop the player from wearing the shirt number even though the shirt number is reserved for goalkeepers.
Ligue one rule number 670 states that: “The shirt numbers 1, 16, and 30 are exclusively and necessarily reserved for goalkeepers.
“Ultimately, the number 40 can be assigned. All teams must have a jersey with the number 33 that is not assigned to a player and reserved for breaking replacements. A directory is established early in the season and available to referees and delegates by the LFP.”
But Messi who is regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time would be exempted from the rule which means that he is free to choose any shirt number of his choice at PSG.
Lionel Messi joins PSG… HERE WE GO! Total agreement completed on a two-years contract. Option to extend until June 2024. Salary around €35m net per season add ons included. 🇦🇷🇫🇷 #Messi
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 10, 2021
Messi has definitely accepted PSG contract proposal and will be in Paris in the next hours. pic.twitter.com/DiM5jNzxTA
