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New York Times
3 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
The legacy of Lionel Messi's underwhelming time as a Paris Saint-Germain player
May 2023 proved to be a watershed month for Paris Saint-Germain. Up to that point, the French giants' sporting project seemed to be faltering, certainly in relation to their ultimate goal of lifting the Champions League. Serial winners domestically, PSG had reached the point where only success in Europe's premier club competition could bring them the validation they craved. Advertisement The problem they had was that nothing they did seemed to bring them closer. Even the signing of one of the world's greatest players in Lionel Messi, who joined on a free transfer in August 2021, had not sufficiently moved the dial. If anything, adding the Argentinian to a front line already containing fellow stars Kylian Mbappe and Neymar only served to create additional layers of complexity and dysfunction. Two years on, they are finally European champions thanks to a 5-0 rout of Inter in Munich last month. A vibrant, youthful side managed by the wily Luis Enrique and spearheaded by a revived Ousmane Dembele seems primed for further success. Yet there is a recognition at PSG that none of this would have been possible without the cultural reset that happened at the end of that 2022-23 campaign. The key moment in PSG's journey to becoming European champions came immediately after the abject 3-1 defeat to Lorient and had Messi at its centre. The Argentinian featured heavily in the game, completing the full 90 minutes, but did not report with his team-mates for training the following morning. Instead, he flew to the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh to engage in ambassadorial duties for the wealthy Gulf nation. Messi's unauthorised absence was problematic on many levels. In a sporting sense, it was seen by the PSG hierarchy as another sign that key players were putting their own interests above those of the club. The Argentinian's camp has always maintained that they gave PSG enough warning of his absence, but that too was a source of contention. There was also the fact that he had travelled to a country, Saudi Arabia, that has often had a fractious relationship with Qatar, the home of PSG's owner, Qatari Sports Investments (QSI). Messi was handed a two-week suspension and docked pay. It was a tough, risky stance, but it laid the groundwork for what was to follow. Advertisement The French club has always maintained that the issue was sporting rather than geopolitical, and that it was a moment in which QSI realised something urgently needed to change. The message now is that no player is bigger than the collective. Messi left at the end of that season, his contract allowed to expire, while Neymar also departed. Mbappe, the final member of the trio, signed for Real Madrid last summer. Messi never really settled in Paris. His departure from Barcelona, the club where he had made his name, was abrupt and emotional. When it became apparent he had to leave, he held a farewell press conference in which he broke down in tears. In hindsight, it seemed to be an indicator that all was not well. News of the Argentinian's availability sparked a scramble involving most of the world's biggest and richest clubs. PSG's arrival in the race was opportunistic. A deal was agreed for Messi to join on a salary of €25million (£21m; $29m) per year, considerably lower than his reported €110m annual salary in Catalonia. But Barcelona was Messi's club in a way PSG could never be. Where he was the undisputed star at the Camp Nou, with accommodations made for his quirks and foibles, most around PSG felt Mbappe ruled the roost in the French capital. The acclimatisation to a new country, city and style of play was not easy. 'Those two years (in Paris) were not enjoyable,' he later told Apple Music. In a separate interview with beIN, he added that it had been 'difficult to adapt to the city', while also pointing to his difficult relationship with sections of the PSG fanbase. He was subjected to boos from the stands after he failed to help them win the Champions League. While relationships — particularly those with elements of the fanbase — were fractured by the time of Messi's departure in the summer of 2025, sources close to the French club — who will remain anonymous to protect relationships — maintain there are no regrets over his signing. Advertisement Off the field, he played a major role in the growth of PSG's global brand. He is estimated to have made them about €10m in direct revenue. Even before he had officially signed, the club made around €8m after a spike in their cryptocurrency portfolio. Within weeks of his arrival, PSG added two partners, Christian Dior and for a combined €25m. There were record shirt sales, South American partnerships grew, and at least eight new territories signed TV deals. There is an acceptance that, somewhat unfairly, on the pitch, Messi's time at the Parc des Princes will be defined by the failure to lead PSG to Champions League glory. He remained incredibly productive but did not quite reach the heights of his time at Barcelona — 32 goals and 35 assists in 75 PSG games still represents a significant haul, but it is dwarfed by his total of 975 goal involvements in 778 games at the Camp Nou. Messi helped PSG to domestic success, but he was not the game-changer in Europe that they hoped he would be. There is an admission now that PSG's cultural overhaul could have come earlier. Yet Messi's trip to Saudi in 2023 came to be seen as the straw that broke the camel's back internally; the much-needed catalyst for change. Time appears to have healed previously strained relationships. PSG are European champions, Messi is settled in Miami, and recent exchanges between him and chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi have been more positive. All parties appear to have moved on. In public and in private, Al-Khelaifi and the club have stressed the importance of that chapter in PSG's development and thanked Messi for his role in their ensuing success. PSG's social media accounts wished their former player a happy birthday this week. The end of the caption read: 'See you Sunday.' This weekend's game between Inter Miami and PSG in Atlanta will be the first time Messi has faced one of his former clubs. All eyes will be on the Mercedes-Benz Arena to see how he fares. Messi has found it much easier to acclimatise to life in Miami. He lives in a quiet part of Fort Lauderdale, away from the glare of the media, and has family nearby. He socialises with his former Barcelona team-mates Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez, and has also been known to spend time with David and Victoria Beckham. Messi was consulted by the Miami hierarchy before the hiring of his ex-Barcelona team-mate Javier Mascherano as head coach last year. His impact on American soccer, both on and off the pitch, has been considerable. Even at 38, he remains capable of taking games away from opponents single-handedly. He was the MLS MVP last year and his arrival has helped Inter Miami top $200m in annual revenues, more than tripling their 2022 top line. The club are now valued at $1billion by Sportico, up 74 per cent on 2022. According to ESPN, Messi's Inter Miami shirt is also the biggest seller in sportswear giant Adidas' portfolio. There is a sense that Messi is increasingly gearing up for life after his playing career. He continues to expand his commercial portfolio and starred in both Apple TV's 2025 Super Bowl commercial and the promotion of the new Bad Boys film. Inter Miami are likely to be Messi's final professional club, with the Argentinian set to take on a co-owner position after retirement. The transition from sporting star to something more transcendent is already well under way. But first, there is some unfinished business in the pink of Miami and a reunion with PSG, the former club who have forged a path to success without him.
New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
PSG Club World Cup reunion with Messi recalls unhappier times
ATLANTA: Paris Saint-Germain have come to the Club World Cup as newly crowned champions of Europe, but a meeting with the Inter Miami of Lionel Messi in the last 16 this Sunday brings back memories of unhappier times for the French club. PSG's stunning 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in Munich at the end of last month which allowed them to win the UEFA Champions League for the first time completed an incredible season for the Qatar-backed side under the coaching of Luis Enrique. It is no coincidence that PSG achieved their crowning glory in their first season after definitively shifting their focus away from signing superstar players to instead allow a brilliant coach to work with a hungry, dynamic young team. Kylian Mbappe's move a year ago to Real Madrid followed the departures in 2023 of Neymar, the world's most expensive signing when he joined in 2017, and Messi, in the same summer Luis Enrique was appointed. When PSG pounced in August 2021 to sign Messi after a cash-strapped Barcelona were unable to keep him, the French side logically thought the Argentinian could be the man to deliver elusive Champions League glory. Messi, who was 34 at the time, thought the same thing. "My dream is to win another Champions League and I think I am in the ideal place to have that chance and to do it," he said at his unveiling. Alas, it did not work out that way, either in Messi's first season in Paris, under compatriot Mauricio Pochettino in 2021/22, or in the next campaign under Christophe Galtier. PSG had got to the Champions League final and then semi-finals in the two seasons prior to Messi's arrival, so he looked like the final piece in the jigsaw. Instead they went backwards with him in the side, going out of Europe's elite club competition in the last 16 two years running. Having to fit in Messi – with his estimated annual salary of €30 million (US$35.2 million) after tax – as well as Neymar and Mbappe may have increased the star appeal, but it weakened them as a team. Towards the end the Barcelona legend was even being jeered by some sections of the PSG support who felt Messi's commitment to the cause was not what it should have been. Messi was a PSG player when he inspired Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in late 2022, but there were only flashes of his genius at club level in France. His statistics stand up to any scrutiny, with 32 goals and 35 assists in 75 appearances, and he did win two Ligue 1 titles while helping increase PSG's value as a brand. But one memorable quote by a columnist in French sports daily L'Equipe rather summed things up. "PSG have not been better than they were before because of he seemed to have as much desire to play in Ligue 1 as he did to go to the dentist," wrote Vincent Duluc. Fast forward two years and Messi is enjoying the twilight of his career in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, the team he has helped to qualify for the knockout stage of this Club World Cup. Fate has therefore thrown up a last-16 showdown with PSG on Sunday in Atlanta, at the same stadium where he scored a marvellous free-kick to secure a 2-1 win over Porto last week. "All is not forgiven", said the front page of L'Equipe in France on Friday as it described the feelings of "failure and bitterness" left behind from the Argentine's spell there. Miami coach Javier Mascherano, meanwhile, believes the unhappy memory of his time in Paris could spur Messi on. "It's clear that for us it's better if he plays angry, because he's one of those players who, when he has something on his mind, gives an extra effort," Mascherano told ESPN. With Luis Enrique and PSG boasting big ambitions of adding a world title to their European crown, there would be even more bitterness felt if Messi – days after his 38th birthday – managed to knock them out on Sunday. — AFP
France 24
7 hours ago
- Business
- France 24
PSG Club World Cup reunion with Messi recalls unhappier times
PSG's stunning 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in Munich at the end of last month which allowed them to win the UEFA Champions League for the first time completed an incredible season for the Qatar-backed side under the coaching of Luis Enrique. It is no coincidence that PSG achieved their crowning glory in their first season after definitively shifting their focus away from signing superstar players to instead allow a brilliant coach to work with a hungry, dynamic young team. Kylian Mbappe's move a year ago to Real Madrid followed the departures in 2023 of Neymar, the world's most expensive signing when he joined in 2017, and Messi, in the same summer Luis Enrique was appointed. When PSG pounced in August 2021 to sign Messi after a cash-strapped Barcelona were unable to keep him, the French side logically thought the Argentinian could be the man to deliver elusive Champions League glory. Messi, who was 34 at the time, thought the same thing. "My dream is to win another Champions League and I think I am in the ideal place to have that chance and to do it," he said at his unveiling. Alas, it did not work out that way, either in Messi's first season in Paris, under compatriot Mauricio Pochettino in 2021/22, or in the next campaign under Christophe Galtier. PSG had got to the Champions League final and then semi-finals in the two seasons prior to Messi's arrival, so he looked like the final piece in the jigsaw. Instead they went backwards with him in the side, going out of Europe's elite club competition in the last 16 two years running. All is not forgiven Having to fit in Messi -- with his estimated annual salary of 30 million euros ($35.2 million) after tax -- as well as Neymar and Mbappe may have increased the star appeal, but it weakened them as a team. Towards the end the Barcelona legend was even being jeered by some sections of the PSG support who felt Messi's commitment to the cause was not what it should have been. Messi was a PSG player when he inspired Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in late 2022, but there were only flashes of his genius at club level in France. His statistics stand up to any scrutiny, with 32 goals and 35 assists in 75 appearances, and he did win two Ligue 1 titles while helping increase PSG's value as a brand. But one memorable quote by a columnist in French sports daily L'Equipe rather summed things up. "PSG have not been better than they were before because of he seemed to have as much desire to play in Ligue 1 as he did to go to the dentist," wrote Vincent Duluc. Fast forward two years and Messi is enjoying the twilight of his career in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, the team he has helped to qualify for the knockout stage of this Club World Cup. Fate has therefore thrown up a last-16 showdown with PSG on Sunday in Atlanta, at the same stadium where he scored a marvellous free-kick to secure a 2-1 win over Porto last week. "All is not forgiven", said the front page of L'Equipe in France on Friday as it described the feelings of "failure and bitterness" left behind from the Argentine's spell there. Miami coach Javier Mascherano, meanwhile, believes the unhappy memory of his time in Paris could spur Messi on. "It's clear that for us it's better if he plays angry, because he's one of those players who, when he has something on his mind, gives an extra effort," Mascherano told ESPN. With Luis Enrique and PSG boasting big ambitions of adding a world title to their European crown, there would be even more bitterness felt if Messi -- days after his 38th birthday -- managed to knock them out on Sunday.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
PSG Club World Cup reunion with Messi recalls unhappier times
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi will come up against old club Paris Saint-Germain at the Club World Cup on Sunday (Paul ELLIS) Paris Saint-Germain have come to the Club World Cup as newly crowned champions of Europe, but a meeting with the Inter Miami of Lionel Messi in the last 16 this Sunday brings back memories of unhappier times for the French club. PSG's stunning 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in Munich at the end of last month which allowed them to win the UEFA Champions League for the first time completed an incredible season for the Qatar-backed side under the coaching of Luis Enrique. Advertisement It is no coincidence that PSG achieved their crowning glory in their first season after definitively shifting their focus away from signing superstar players to instead allow a brilliant coach to work with a hungry, dynamic young team. Kylian Mbappe's move a year ago to Real Madrid followed the departures in 2023 of Neymar, the world's most expensive signing when he joined in 2017, and Messi, in the same summer Luis Enrique was appointed. When PSG pounced in August 2021 to sign Messi after a cash-strapped Barcelona were unable to keep him, the French side logically thought the Argentinian could be the man to deliver elusive Champions League glory. Messi, who was 34 at the time, thought the same thing. Advertisement "My dream is to win another Champions League and I think I am in the ideal place to have that chance and to do it," he said at his unveiling. Alas, it did not work out that way, either in Messi's first season in Paris, under compatriot Mauricio Pochettino in 2021/22, or in the next campaign under Christophe Galtier. PSG had got to the Champions League final and then semi-finals in the two seasons prior to Messi's arrival, so he looked like the final piece in the jigsaw. Instead they went backwards with him in the side, going out of Europe's elite club competition in the last 16 two years running. Advertisement - All is not forgiven - Having to fit in Messi -- with his estimated annual salary of 30 million euros ($35.2 million) after tax -- as well as Neymar and Mbappe may have increased the star appeal, but it weakened them as a team. Towards the end the Barcelona legend was even being jeered by some sections of the PSG support who felt Messi's commitment to the cause was not what it should have been. Messi was a PSG player when he inspired Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in late 2022, but there were only flashes of his genius at club level in France. His statistics stand up to any scrutiny, with 32 goals and 35 assists in 75 appearances, and he did win two Ligue 1 titles while helping increase PSG's value as a brand. Advertisement But one memorable quote by a columnist in French sports daily L'Equipe rather summed things up. "PSG have not been better than they were before because of he seemed to have as much desire to play in Ligue 1 as he did to go to the dentist," wrote Vincent Duluc. Fast forward two years and Messi is enjoying the twilight of his career in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, the team he has helped to qualify for the knockout stage of this Club World Cup. Fate has therefore thrown up a last-16 showdown with PSG on Sunday in Atlanta, at the same stadium where he scored a marvellous free-kick to secure a 2-1 win over Porto last week. Advertisement "All is not forgiven", said the front page of L'Equipe in France on Friday as it described the feelings of "failure and bitterness" left behind from the Argentine's spell there. Miami coach Javier Mascherano, meanwhile, believes the unhappy memory of his time in Paris could spur Messi on. "It's clear that for us it's better if he plays angry, because he's one of those players who, when he has something on his mind, gives an extra effort," Mascherano told ESPN. With Luis Enrique and PSG boasting big ambitions of adding a world title to their European crown, there would be even more bitterness felt if Messi -- days after his 38th birthday -- managed to knock them out on Sunday. as/bb
Daily Mail
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Supercomputer predicts Club World Cup winner - with Chelsea's chances rated HIGHER than Real Madrid... but what about Man City?
PSG have been tipped to add to their Champions League glory by winning the newly revamped Club World Cup, according to Opta's supercomputer. The group stages of the controversial competition wrapped up on Thursday night, as Real Madrid swept aside Red Bull Salzburg, and now the round of 16 fixtures are locked in. The Premier League 's two representatives, Manchester City and Chelsea, have both made it through to the knockout stages, with Pep Guardiola 's side standing out in particular with a 100 per cent record. They will be joined by Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Benfica, and Juventus, as European giants predominantly dominate the competition. Brazil's top flight also have a strong presence as Botafogo, Palmeiras, Fluminese, and Flamengo have also breezed into the last 16, while Al-Hilal, Monterrey, and Inter Miami have progressed. However, despite the strength of teams left in the Club World Cup, it is Luis Enrique's serial winners who have been given 20.6 per cent chance of bringing the inaugural trophy back to Paris. The European champions will first have to get past Inter Miami, led by their former star Lionel Messi, in the round of 16, with the two sides doing battle at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday. If they get past Messi's men, then PSG will be put up against Bayern Munich or Flamengo on what is the more stacked side of the knockout stage bracket. The French champions are only marginally the favoruites, with Manchester City given a 20.4 per cent chance of taking home the crown after what an impressive group stage campaign. Pep Guardiola's men were back to their brilliant best against Juventus, putting in a sizzling display that has not been seen by the boys in blue for quite some time, beating the Italian giants 5-2 in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday. It was a display that has seen them become one of the front-runners to win the competition as they seek their first trophy of what had been a dismal 2024-25 campaign by their standards. Champions League finalists Inter Milan - who were embarrassed by PSG in Munich last month - are the third favourites to lift the Club World Cup with a 12.4 per cent chance of doing so. They are followed by Bayern Munich who have an 11.3 per cent likelihood of glory, while Chelsea sit behind them at 10.4 per cent. The five-time record winners of the old Club World Cup format, Real Madrid, have a 9.7 per cent chance of claiming their first trophy under Xabi Alonso, after failing to strike gold in the regular season. Borussia Dortmund, Benfica, and Juventus then follow as European sides occupy the top nine spots on the list, while Palmeiras are the best of the rest, although they have only been given a 0.9 per cent chance of winning the competition. Flamengo, Al-Hilal, Botafogo, Inter Miami, Monterrey, and Fluminese have all been given 0.5 per cent, or less, of winning the tournament. The last 16 ties take place between the 28 June and 2 July, while the final is set for Sunday 13 July.
