The Argentine captain joined the Parisian giant in 2021, free of any contract, after twenty years at FC Barcelona. However, he struggled to establish himself during his two seasons at the Parc des Princes and finally joined Inter Miami in the summer of 2023.
The Messi-PSG collaboration never worked.
In the summer of 2021, PSG sporting director Nasser Al-Khelaïfi convinced Messi to join the club after his departure from Barça.
Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar then formed the most prestigious attacking trio in European football. However, despite this star cast, PSG failed to find its rhythm. Messi contributed to two consecutive Ligue 1 titles, but failed to lead the team beyond the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Messi encountered several personal difficulties within the club, including a breakdown in his relations with Parisian fans, which ultimately led the Argentine legend to leave the Parc des Princes to join Inter Miami, an MLS club owned by David Beckham.
Leonardo lifts the veil on Messi’s time at PSG.
Leonardo, PSG sporting director from 2019 to 2022, played a key role in Messi’s arrival at the club.
Today, almost two and a half years after Messi’s departure, Leonardo spoke about the difficulties encountered by the Argentinian in Paris. He told RMC Sport:
“Messi wanted to stay at Barça, but as soon as Barcelona couldn’t keep him, PSG became his priority. Then there were a lot of misunderstandings. It was difficult for him. He was in the same place for 20 years, and then he moved. Saying he wasn’t happy is a way of defending himself. There was the elimination with Real Madrid (in the 2021-2022 Champions League); it was complicated. »
