Barcola remains central to PSG's trophy charge as they look to protect a slender one-point lead at the top of Ligue 1, notably with the advantage of a game in hand over their nearest rivals Lens. The timing of this contract extension is expected to provide a major morale boost ahead of a massive Champions League quarter-final showdown against Liverpool, where he will face his toughest test yet. Beyond the current campaign, the lead-up to the World Cup offers Barcola a prime opportunity to cement his place in the France squad, potentially seeing his market value soar even higher before his new long-term deal officially begins.