Nasser Al-Khelaifi: "I think Messi wants to stay. Will it happen? We'll see"

In a long interview published by RMC Sports on Friday, Nasser Al-Khelaifi spoke to the French media outlet from Qatar and touched on a great variety of topics, including the ongoing drama surrounding Lionel Messi's contract expiring next June.

One of the big issues impacting PSG's present and future lies in solving the contract conundrum of Argentina legend Lionel Messi.

Messi, who arrived in Paris in the summer of 2021 and after a lackluster first year, has started his second season in Paris at a much better pace finally setting in the capital.

With his contract ending next June, the World Cup finalist will have the freedom to discuss the different options that he has on the table as soon as next January.

According to RMC, PSG will "need to be patient" before getting to know "the desires" of Messi. RMC considers "PSG or Inter Miami" as the two main options currently in Messi's mind.

The president of PSG, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, thinks Messi "is very happy with the club" and "wants to stay."

RMC also revealed that the discussions between both parties should "accelerate" after the World Cup.

"If both PSG and Messi want him to extend his contract, he will stay," said Nasser Al-Khelaifi. He followed that up by saying that PSG still believe they "will talk after the World Cup."

Al-Khelaifi confirmed that Messi "is very happy with the club," also pointing out that the Argentina international is "having a very good season."

According to Al-Khelaifi's own words, the PSG president thinks Messi "wants to stay," although he questioned himself later. "Will it happen? We'll see, there's one game left (in the World Cup, before entering talks with Messi)."

RMC reported that the Parisian club "didn't not expect" Messi to make a decision before the World Cup, and that there is a mutual-consent option in Messi's contract "for a third year" that could be executed "at the end of his 2022-23 season" as long as both parties are happy with that decision.

All of the above said, Lionel Messi's extension with PSG remains the most likely option for both parties to date. The Argentine is thriving in Paris and finally seems to have gotten used to his new Parisian life. Nothing will be signed before January, and most probably the ultimate decision will drag into the last month of the season.

Messi has appeared in 19 games in all competitions with PSG this season scoring 12 goals and assisting 14 through those matches.