Miami, October 2023 – Lionel Messi, the Argentine football icon, recently opened up about his unexpected departure from Barcelona and his experiences at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). In a candid interview, Messi shared his thoughts on leaving the club where he spent the majority of his career and the challenges he faced during his time in Paris.

Messi reminisces about his Barcelona days

Messi, now 38, described his exit from Barcelona as “strange” due to the circumstances. He hasn’t played in front of fans at Camp Nou since before the global pandemic, leaving both fans and Messi himself with a sense of unfinished business. In a reflective mood, Messi admitted that he now appreciates his time at the club more than ever.

“I miss those moments immensely. I appreciate them more now than I did then, perhaps because of the relentless pace and constant pressure of playing game after game, always thinking about the next match without savoring the present. Now, looking back, it’s much more enjoyable.”

Departure from Barcelona: An unexpected turn

Messi’s contract with Barcelona was set to be extended in August 2021, with a two-year agreement reached. However, upon returning from vacation, he was informed that the club was withdrawing the offer, and he would leave as a free agent.

“I’ve already mentioned this; it was a strange feeling after leaving, given the circumstances. I ended up playing my last years without fans due to the pandemic. After spending my entire life there, I didn’t leave as I had imagined, as I had dreamed.”

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“I had envisioned playing my entire career in Europe, at Barcelona, and then coming here as I did because that was my plan, what I wanted. The farewell was a bit strange due to the situation, but I believe the fans’ affection will always be there for the reasons I mentioned, for everything we’ve experienced together.”

Life in Paris: A mixed experience

Four days after leaving Barcelona, Messi arrived in Paris to sign a two-year contract with PSG. Despite showing moments of brilliance and maintaining solid statistics, his time at PSG was marked by a sense of unease. Messi explained that he was still mentally processing the shock of leaving Barcelona.

“One might think Paris was hell, but it wasn’t. If I say I didn’t have a good time, it’s because I wasn’t happy with what I was doing and what I love to do: play football, the daily routine, training, matches. I just didn’t feel right.”

“But honestly, we had a fantastic family experience. The city is spectacular, we loved it. It was our first time leaving Barcelona, and everything was new for us, which made the transition difficult because it wasn’t due to an injury; it just happened.”

“Here, yes, we’re doing well, we enjoy the city, our daily life. As I mentioned, it’s very similar to the life I had in Castelldefels, with the club nearby, the kids’ school close by, everything is easily accessible and convenient. We live on the outskirts of the city, which is beautiful, but the traffic is terrible.”