According to the French Outlet RMC, Paris Saint-Germain will be confronted with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in the Club World Cup round of 16. The former PSG player is expected to attract the attention of Paris fans.
Since leaving the French capital, Messi has often criticized both the club and his life in Paris. RMC Sport has compiled a timeline of his comments.
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June 2023: “I was not happy during those two years”
On 3 June 2023, shortly after his last match for PSG against Clermont (a 2-3 defeat), Messi told Sport and Mundo Deportivo that he was not happy in France:
“I was not happy during those two years, I didn't like it. That influenced my family life – I missed a lot of time with my children.”
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August 2023: “I didn't want to go to Paris”
During his official revelation in Inter Miami, Messi clarified that leaving Barcelona was not his choice:
“As I said then, I didn't want to leave Barça. Everything happened at night. After spending so many years in Barcelona, I quickly had to adapt to a new environment. It was difficult. But luckily, this [Miami] Is nothing like Paris. “
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September 2023: “No recognition after winning the World Cup”
In an interview at the Olga YouTube channel, Messi expressed disappointment about the lack of celebration after the victory of Argentina:
“I am the only world cup winner who has not received any recognition.”
Yet he acknowledged the disappointment of the audience:
“I was in the country that we had just defeated in the final.”
Days later Neymar told O Globo:
“Messi went through hell in Paris. We both did that. We all gave ourselves. We were champions, we wanted to write history … but unfortunately it didn't happen.”
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October 2023: No report of PSG to Ballon d'Or Ceremony
After winning his eighth Ballon d'Or, Messi, PSG, his players or staff did not mention that he had spent two years with them. During the press conference he said:
“From a sporting point of view it did not go as I had hoped, but I have some good memories.”
He added:
“I don't think people wanted me to show the Ballon d'Or in the Parc des Princes.”
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January 2024: PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi responds
In an RMC broadcast, PSG president Al-Khelaifi responded to Messi's comments:
“I respect him a lot, but speaking badly about PSG is not good. That is not respect. He is not a bad person, but I don't like that. I expect players to speak while they are here, not after they have left. That is not our style.”
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June 2024: “Buren stopped us to make noise”
In an ESPN interview, Messi spoke about the challenges of life in France, especially with his neighbors:
“In Paris they would call our doorbell at 9 p.m. to say that the children should not play with the ball. They stopped us to make noise. I don't blame them, but unfortunately things did not go like us or they had hoped. It had struck my mental state and my performance on the field. I didn't feel good in Paris.”
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October 2024: Former Toulouse player says Messi Psg Spell “Hell”
Former Toulouse player Brecht Dejaegere, who now played for Charlotte in MLS, shared a conversation with Messi after a match:
“I asked him if Miami felt better than France. He told me that playing for PSG was hell. Yes, hell. In the beginning the PSG fans were hospitable, but after the elimination of the Champions League he was shocked – he was booed every game. He had had enough.”
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February – April 2025: “I didn't feel well in daily life or training”
In an interview in February with Apple Music, Messi again got his unpleasant time at PSG:
“Those two years were not pleasant. I was unhappy every day, in training and competitions. It took me a long time to adjust.”
In April he added to Simplified Futbol:
“My family was fine, but I didn't feel comfortable in daily life or training.”