"I had a hard time with the change" - Lionel Messi explains why PSG move didn't turn out as he hoped
Lionel Messi has shed light on his time with French giants PSG and his struggles to adapt to life in the French capital. The move was the first time in the Argentine legend's senior career that he played outside Barcelona, but it was a fairly disappointing venture for all parties involved.
La Pulga was signed to help the Ligue 1 giants claim European success, but that never happened. PSG remain without continental success and will look back on the time they shared with the Argentine maestro with mixed feelings despite his 32 goals and 35 assists in 75 games across competitions.
Speaking with ESPN’s Martin Arevalo , the Blaugrana legend shared his difficulties in acclimatising to life outside Catalonia He said that he had no ill will towards PSG and shared his disappointment that things didn't go to plan:
“I have nothing against them, but unfortunately, it didn't turn out as I had hoped. Personally, I had a hard time with the change; it was very difficult for us. That affects me a lot emotionally.
"However, while in Paris, the best thing happened to me: becoming a world champion. In Paris, the neighbours would ring the doorbell to ask us to keep the noise down; the neighbours were tough. It was 9 or 10 at night.”
Lionel Messi eventually left PSG on a free transfer last summer to join MLS franchise Inter Miami.
His gameplay and influence in the team have been immense, and La Pulga looks to genuinely be enjoying his time in South Florida. He's currently set to lead Argentina in this summer's Copa America 2024 tournament in the USA.
A look at Lionel Messi's PSG stint
Lionel Messi was signed by PSG fo help secure continental dominance for the French giants who above all else desire UEFA Champions League glory. La Pulga joined the Paris-based side after his contract in Catalonia expired in 2021.
The Argentine maestro joined a phenomenal attack in Paris, reuniting with Neymar and partnering with Kylian Mbappe. On paper, the trio were the most devastating attack on the planet, but they failed to dominate European football, especially in the UEFA Champions League.
Messi would leave the French capital after two years without achieving Champions League glory in Paris, but with a FIFA World Cup winner's medal around his neck. He now plies his trade in MLS with David Beckham’s Inter Miami.