It has been suggested that Lionel Messi might have to make a big sacrifice if he is to extend his stay at Paris Saint-Germain.
The 35-year-old is nearing the end out of his current contract in Paris, with little more than four months before it expires.
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Having got off to a terrible start to life in France after joining the club from FC Barcelona ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has found form in his second season at the Parc des Princes, averaging at least one goal involvement every game this term.
His output in this campaign has made the Ligue 1 giants even more desperate to keep him, while his former club Barca and Major League Soccer side Inter Miami are also openly interested in signing the Argentine on a free contract.
With negotiations between Messi's father Jorge and PSG understood to be ongoing, former Les Parisiens and Blaugrana forward Ludovic Giuly believes the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner might need to sacrifice his commitment to international football with Argentina if he wants to secure a contract extension from the Ligue 1 club.
"It will be necessary to be aware that Leo will no longer be able to play all the matches," Giuly explained, according French newspaper Le Parisien.
"It will sometimes be necessary to rest before Champions League matches, for example. I can see a rhythm like three disputed matches and then one to rest.
"Leo says he still wants to play with Argentina and that might be a problem.
"After a certain age, you recover much less well from the fatigue of long plane trips.
"Should he give up the selection to continue? I don't know, but we'll have to talk about it."
The Frenchman, who won the 2005/06 UEFA Champions League with Messi at the Camp Nou, also insisted that despite the Albiceleste captain's age, he is still the "best player in the world".
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"We criticised him a lot but when we see the World Cup that he won because he had prepared well before, that should convince Paris to extend him," Giuly added.
"I remind you that we are talking about Lionel Messi, the best player in the world! It proves that he is capable, if he is managed well, of bringing a lot more.
"A guy capable, at any time, on a pass, a dribble, a strike or a free-kick, of making the difference.
"I'm not talking about marketing or stuff like that but, when you're called PSG, it's better to have Messi in your team than elsewhere."
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