Lionel Messi GFXGetty Images/Goal
Soham Mukherjee

Revealed: Lionel Messi 'didn't have one good moment' during PSG spell due to Neymar's rivalry with Kylian Mbappe and World Cup winner no longer being treated like a 'God'

Lionel Messi 'didn't have one good moment' during his Paris Saint-Germain spell due to Neymar's rivalry with Kylian Mbappe. A figure said to be close to the legendary Argentine has offered a rare insight into his uncomfortable two-year stint in the French capital, revealing he felt alienated and undermined amid internal tensions at the club.

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  • Messi allegedly didn't enjoy his PSG spell
  • Was affected due to tension between Nyemar & Mbappe
  • Left the Parisians after an uncomfortable two-year stint
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    When Messi made the shock move from Barcelona to PSG in 2021, the footballing world buzzed with anticipation. The deal was seen as a statement signing for the French giants, aiming to solidify their position among Europe’s elite.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    The attacking trio of Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe was expected to terrorise defences across the continent. On paper, the partnership promised fireworks. But on the pitch, their chemistry was inconsistent. Though PSG lifted the Ligue 1 title in both of Messi’s seasons, the expected dominance never truly materialized, especially on the European stage.

  • WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

    An insider, speaking to L’Équipe, painted a bleak picture of Messi’s off-the-pitch experience. Struggles with the club’s environment, feeling caught in the middle of Neymar and Mbappé’s simmering rivalry, and the lack of special recognition following his World Cup triumph reportedly left Messi longing for his life in Barcelona.

    "He didn’t have one good moment in Paris. He couldn’t go out. He found himself in the middle of the Neymar-Mbappe rivalry," the source said. "He even felt that the club protected the Frenchman and didn’t even honour his World Cup title. In Barcelona, he was a God. He was used to taking his kids to school, the sun…it was a lot of things combined".

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Tensions reached a boiling point in May 2023. Messi was handed a two-week suspension by PSG after embarking on an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia, a move not approved by then-manager Christophe Galtier. Though he later returned to the squad, the incident signalled a breakdown in the relationship between player and club. Shortly after the season’s conclusion, Messi confirmed his departure and joined Inter Miami, opting for a fresh start in Major League Soccer.

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    WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI & PSG?

    Since then, PSG’s famed attacking trio has disbanded entirely. Under the guidance of Luis Enrique, the Parisian outfit bounced back and claimed the Champions League crown last season, something that had eluded them during Messi’s tenure. Now, fate may bring Messi face-to-face with his former employers as Inter Miami are set to meet PSG in the Round of 16 clash of the FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday.