LIONEL MESSI has made a "verbal pact" with Paris Saint-Germain to stay at the club beyond the end of the season, according to reports.
The Argentine, 35, will become a free agent in the summer if he does not agree a new deal with the French champions.
He has been linked with a return to Barcelona or a move to the MLS to join Inter Miami.
But according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Messi and PSG have an informal agreement and will not hurry the details of the contract extension.
Speaking on Twitter, Romano said: "Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain have verbal pact to continue together. ???????????????? #PSG
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"There will be a new meeting with his camp to discuss length of contract, salary and more.
"Nothing signed this week, no rush as the plan is already clear: Messi will continue in Paris."
Messi struggled during his first year in the French capital, contributing 11 goals and 15 assists in 34 games.
But since the start of the 2022/23 campaign the South American icon has rediscovered some of his best form.
He already has as many goal contributions this term than in the entirety of last season - 12 goals and 14 assists in just 19 matches.
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In November, he paused his time at PSG to head to the World Cup.
And Messi produced a remarkable set of performances throughout the tournament as he achieved a career-long goal of lifting the World Cup with Argentina.
His seven goals and three assists inspired Lionel Scaloni's men to glory as Argentina became three-time world champions.
He is yet to play for PSG since the World Cup but flew back to Paris on January 1 and is set to train in the coming days.
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Christophe Galtier's side are four points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
They are also in the last-16 of the Champions League and will face Bayern Munich in the first leg of a blockbuster tie on February 14, before the return leg on March 8.
