Paris Saint-Germain will open talks with Lionel Messi over a contract extension after the World Cup, the club's president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has said.
Messi was in fine form for PSG ahead of the season break for the World Cup, with the Argentine forward scoring 12 goals and providing 14 assists in all competitions. It is a marked improvement on his debut campaign in Paris, having joined the Ligue 1 giants from Barcelona on a free transfer but was only able to score six goals during a season disrupted by injury.
Messi has carried his form over to the World Cup, where he has led Argentina into a quarter-final showdown with the Netherlands, scoring three goals in four games so far.
When asked if the 35-year-old superstar is interested in extending his stay in Paris, Al-Khelaifi told Sky Sports: "Definitely".
"He performed fantastic this season for us, he's scored a lot of goals and assists for the national team and for the club. So what we agreed together - that after the World Cup, sit down together. But both sides - our side of the club and him - are very happy, so we will talk after the World Cup."
Al-Khelaifi's words will be welcomed by PSG fans after speculation emerged that Messi could leave at the end of the season, with a move to MLS side Inter Miami strongly linked.
Another player out of contract this summer is Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, who was previously linked with a move to PSG in the close season. Like Messi, Rashford is still involved in the World Cup as England prepare to face France in Saturday's quarter-final.
Al-Khelaifi said "every club" would be interested in signing the England international on a free transfer and that PSG had spoken to him previously.
"But the moment was not a good moment for both sides," he said. "Today if he's a free agent of course we can talk to him directly but we are not going to talk to him now. Let him focus on the World Cup. Then after in January, hopefully, if we're interested we will talk to him."
If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
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Jiu-jitsu calendar of events for 2017-2018:
August 5:
Round-1 of the President’s Cup in Al Ain.
August 11-13:
Asian Championship in Vietnam.
September 8-9:
Ajman International.
September 16-17
Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Ashgabat.
September 22-24:
IJJF Balkan Junior Open, Montenegro.
September 23-24:
Grand Slam Los Angeles.
September 29:
Round-1 Mother of The Nation Cup.
October 13-14:
Al Ain U18 International.
September 20-21:
Al Ain International.
November 3:
Round-2 Mother of The National Cup.
November 4:
Round-2 President’s Cup.
November 10-12:
Grand Slam Rio de Janeiro.
November 24-26:
World Championship, Columbia.
November 30:
World Beach Championship, Columbia.
December 8-9:
Dubai International.
December 23:
Round-3 President’s Cup, Sharjah.
January 12-13:
Grand Slam Abu Dhabi.
January 26-27:
Fujairah International.
February 3:
Round-4 President’s Cup, Al Dhafra.
February 16-17:
Ras Al Khaimah International.
February 23-24:
The Challenge Championship.
March 10-11:
Grand Slam London.
March 16:
Final Round – Mother of The Nation.
March 17:
Final Round – President’s Cup.
