PSG and Lionel Messi set part ways after two seasons

With only minutes between the official announcement and the final game of the season, PSG confirmed the departure from Paris of Argentine world champion and best-player-ever Lionel Messi, thanking him for his contributions on a note published in the club's website.

Messi's journey with Paris Saint-Germain can be now considered finished, with its legal (contract ending) expiration day set for June 30 but his real one arriving earlier, on Saturday, June 3 for the final Ligue 1 match of the season at the Parc des Princes against Clermont in a 2-3 horrible defeat.

PSG expresses its utmost gratitude to the legendary seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, who not only secured a Trophee des Champions but also clinched two Ligue 1 titles during his time with Paris Saint-Germain.

Over the course of 74 games through two seasons in the French capital, Messi scored 32 goals (the first one against a Pep Guardiola-led Manchester City) while providing his teammates with 35 assists. Messi just completed his second year in the capital finishing as the top-assister of the Ligue 1 with 16 dimes.

In his debut year at PSG, Messi already won the league title while getting his final Ballon d'Or award from France Football following that season.

As the captain of the Argentina national team, he led his nation to their third World Cup with compiling 16 goals in 31 Ligue 1 matches to go with 16 assists. Messi fell two assists short of matching fellow Argentine and former PSG player Angel Di Maria's record on that front (18).

During MD37 of Ligue 1 against Strasbourg, Messi etched his name even deeper into the annals of history by scoring his 496th goal in Europe's top five leagues, setting yet another remarkable record and overtaking long-time nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo in that special leaderboard.

"I would like to express my gratitude to the club, the city of Paris, and its people for these incredible two years. I wish everyone the very best for the future," Messi stated.

Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain said that "I would like to thank Leo Messi for his exceptional contributions during his two seasons in Paris. Witnessing a seven-time Ballon d'Or winner donning the Rouge & Bleu at Parc des Princes, winning consecutive Ligue 1 titles, and inspiring our younger players has been an absolute pleasure."

The leader of PSG added that Messi's impact on PSG and Ligue 1 "cannot be overstated, and we extend our best wishes to Leo and his family for the future."