Emiliano Martinez jokingly stated that he would try to entice Lionel Messi to Aston Villa by offering him mate and roast dinners.
On June 30, when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires, Lionel Messi will be a free agent. The 35-year-old is free to sign with any club, but considering the Argentine’s high salaries, FC Barcelona is the only club in Europe with any interest.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is getting ready to leave Ligue 1 powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain this summer as his contract is coming to an end. Messi has been strongly connected with a return to Barcelona, and reports claim that he also has rich offers from the Middle East and Major League Soccer on the table. Martinez, though, wants his fellow World Cup winner to join him in the Premier League and is willing to reduce his compensation to facilitate a stunning transfer.
After witnessing his famed international teammate receive flak from PSG supporters, Martinez, who shared the spotlight with Messi in Qatar 2022, said ESPN: “If Leo is whistled, I would bring him to Aston Villa. I will bait him with mate, I will make roasts for him every weekend, I ask people to make little flags for him and he has a good time. I will cut my salary for Messi if necessary.”
Despite the jokes, Aston Villa could use Messi, but not playing in the UEFA Champions League is probably the deal-breaker given that the seasoned goal scorer apparently wants to win that trophy once more.
Since joining the Argentine national team, Martinez and Messi have become friends. Martinez thinks the experience gained at the 2022 World Cup, when the Albiceleste prevailed in a pair of тҺгιℓℓι𝚗ɡ penalty shootouts, has greatly improved his game. “What I learned the most from the World Cup is peace of mind when it comes to taking care of a result. Because of the pressure I went through, for example when Holland tied us. For having led France, who drew with us 3-3 and almost lost it. I suffered so much that now I play the games with much more experience.”
Al-Hilal and Inter Miami are just two of the several clubs vying for Messi’s services this summer. Martinez still has a chance to lead Aston Villa to a top-seven Premier League finish this season and European qualification for 2023–24.
Martnez is not the only member of La Albiceleste to invite Messi to join their team. The experienced goal scorer was invited to join the Spanish club by Real Betis defender Germán Pezzella in a recent interview.
“We, at Betis, open the door for him,” Pezzella told TyC Sports (h/t El Desmarque). “We have no problem. If he wants to come, we see him. It’s not putting on the cassette; let him be happy.
“We enjoy something in the national team. He is happy and shows it every time we go. That is something important for the Argentines. Later, what he decides is best, he will know with his family.
“When [Messi is] happy, he plays football, he brings joy to a lot of people’s lives and he does what he did all his life on the pitch. As Argentines, we appreciate having him on our side and watching him play. As a teammate, he continues to ꜱᴜгргιꜱе you every day.”