‘Hostile environment’ - Mauricio Pochettino explains why Lionel Messi struggled at PSG as USMNT coach admits he would like to work with superstars again

The Argentine superstar was given a hero’s welcome when making his way to the French capital in 2021. A stunning deal saw Messi head to Parc des Princes after severing career-long ties with Barcelona.

He would become a World Cup winner during his time with PSG, while collecting an eighth Ballon d’Or, but posted only 32 goals through 75 appearances and was unable to help the Ligue 1 giants to break their Champions League duck - with others achieving that feat in 2025.

Fans tuned on Messi and his fellow ex-Barcelona colleague Neymar towards the end of their respective spells in Paris, with Pochettino - who was at the helm when Messi arrived - telling the El Cafelito podcast from Josep Pederol: “In Leo’s case, it was a very hostile environment in France. He arrived without a pre-season, after a big emotional blow, and it wasn’t easy. At least for me, it was painful to see, because the atmosphere wasn’t favorable to him – it was very aggressive. But I did enjoy having him.”

Messi is now on the books of MLS side Inter Miami, while Pochettino is also in America as head coach of the USMNT. The Argentine tactician added when asked if he would like to work with superstars again: “I would go back to a team with Messi, [Kylian] Mbappe and Neymar. With the experience I have now, I would definitely have been able to give them more, and I’m sure they too, knowing me better, would have made us a much stronger team.”

Pochettino is tied to a contract with the United States that will take in a home World Cup next summer, while Messi - who is now 38 years of age - continues to see fresh terms with Inter Miami speculated on.