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Aston Villa star Emiliano Martinez has jokingly told Argentina teammate Lionel Messi to join the Villans as the forward's contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) nears an end.
Les Parisiens suspended Messi for two weeks after he made a commercial trip to Saudi Arabia without permission earlier this month. The punishment was eventually reduced after the superstar issued an apology.
Messi, thus, returned to PSG's starting lineup in their 5-0 Ligue 1 win against AC Ajaccio on May 13 after missing the trip to Troyes. Many fans, though, were not on board with the decision to reinstate the Argentinian as they whistled at him during the game.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner was also the subject of jeers during the Parisians' 1-0 Ligue 1 loss to Olympique Lyon on April 3. He was booed by a section of fans after it emerged that he will not extend his contract with the French giants.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Messi is certain to leave PSG when his contract ends on June 30, with the forward preferring to stay in Europe. Barcelona are keen to re-sign the superstar, but their financial struggles could hinder their hopes of striking a deal.
Martinez, meanwhile, has opened the doors for Lionel Messi to join him at Premier League club Aston Villa. The goalkeeper said that he would even be willing to take a wage cut to facilitate the transfer.
"If they (PSG fans) whistle him (Lionel Messi), I would bring him to Villa," Martinez told ESPN (via Argentinian television channel TyC Sports). "Come here, we'll feed you mates and I do barbecue every weekend. I make people make little flags and that's it, they have a good time. I cut my salary, we do everything possible."
Aston Villa are on the verge of qualifying for the UEFA Europa Conference League as they are seventh in the Premier League with one game left. Hence, they are tipped to make ambitious moves in the transfer market.
According to French journalist Santi Aouna, the Villans are interested in signing Real Madrid duo Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos. However, acquiring Lionel Messi's services might be out of their reach.
Emiliano Martinez won 2022 FIFA World Cup with PSG's Lionel Messi
Argentina ended their 36-year-long wait to win the FIFA World Cup in December, lifting the trophy in Qatar. La Albiceleste beat France 4-2 on penalties in the final after the game ended 3-3 after extra time.
Lionel Messi did most of the heavy lifting for Argentina, bagging seven goals and three assists in seven games. The PSG superstar also converted his spot-kicks in the shootout wins against the Netherlands and France in the quarter-finals and final, respectively.
Also starring for La Albiceleste at the World Cup was Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The former Arsenal man saved the penalties of Virgil van Dijk, Steven Berghuis and Kingsley Coman in the two shootouts.
Martinez, who kept three clean sheets, also made a tremendous save to deny France's Randal Kolo Muani a late winner in extra time of the final. He won the Golden Glove, the award given to the best goalkeeper at the tournament, for his performances.
