Lionel Messi, Neymar wanted to stay at PSG last summer, new report sheds light on why star duo left Parc des Princes
Former PSG strikers Lionel Messi and Neymar reportedly didn't want to leave the Parc des Princes. The star duo left the Ligue 1 giants last summer, with Messi joining Inter Miami on a free transfer and Neymar moving to Al-Hilal.
The former Barcelona pair reunited at the Parisians in the summer of 2021 when Messi arrived on a free transfer. Although they never replicated their Barca exploits - failing to win the UEFA Champions League in two seasons together - the club didn win consecutive Ligue 1 titles.
It has now emerged that the star duo didn't want to leave the Parc des Princes, as reported by Diario AS (via PSGTalk). While Messi's deal was coming to an end, Neymar had a few years left in his. However, the club decided to jettison both superstars, as they wanted to usher in a team culture rather than dependence on individual players.
With Kylian Mbappe all set to leave this summer, it will be the end of an era at the Parc des Princes, with all three superstars out of the club ahead of the 2024-25 season.
How have Lionel Messi and Neymar fared in club football since leaving PSG?
Lionel Messi has had a fabulous start to life at MLS side Inter Miami, whom he joined on a free transfer last summer, helping them to their maiden title in their six-year history.
Now in his first full season in American football, the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner is off to a superb start. Messi has bagged 13 goals and 11 assists in 13 games across competitions, propelling the Herons to the top of the MLS Eastern Conference.
Overall, the 36-year-old has 23 goals and 16 assists in 27 games across competitions since arriving in South Florida a little less than a year ago, having missed a few games due to injury.
Talking of injury, Neymar ruptured his ACL during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier with Brazil in October and has been out of action. Since arriving at Al-Hilal last summer on a reported €90 million transfer, the former PSG attacker has a goal and three assists for the Saudi Pro League champions across competitions before sustaining the season-ending injury.