Lionel Messi Reflects on Challenging PSG Years: "I Wasn't Happy"

Lionel Messi reflects on his challenging tenure at PSG

Since joining Inter Miami, Lionel Messi seems to have rediscovered his passion for football. While he continues to deliver outstanding performances with the Florida club, the Argentine superstar took a moment to discuss his time at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) during an interview on Friday. Messi donned the red and blue jersey from 2021 to 2023 but did not achieve the success many anticipated. His tenure was marked by disappointing results and a lack of acceptance from the Parc des Princes crowd, who never fully embraced the former Barcelona player.

In a candid interview with Apple Music, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner shared his feelings of discomfort during his time in Paris. “The way things evolved during my last years in Paris, even though it was a decision I had to make on the spot because I had to leave Barcelona, I experienced two years that I did not enjoy. I wasn’t happy on a daily basis, with training, matches; I struggled to adapt to it all,” revealed Messi, who left FC Barcelona against his will to join the French capital.

A challenging adaptation reflected on the pitch

To validate Messi’s claims, one only needs to look at his statistics during his time at PSG. In his first season in France, he played 34 matches, scoring 11 goals and providing 15 assists.

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These numbers fall short of the standards set by the captain of the Albiceleste, though his second season showed improvement with 21 goals and 20 assists. However, he struggled with motivation and determination during his time in Paris, despite being a World Champion in 2022.