Messi wasn’t happy on a daily basis at PSG
Lionel Messi claims that throughout his two years with Paris St-Germain, he “did not enjoy” playing for the team.
After 21 years at Barcelona, the 37-year-old joins the French team in 2021.
Before departing two years ago to join David Beckham’s co-owned Major League Soccer team, Inter Miami, Messi had 32 goals and 35 assists in 76 games.
“Coming to play for Inter Miami was an opportunity, and the way things developed during my last years in Paris, even though it was a decision that I had to make on the fly, because I had to leave Barcelona, I went through two years that I did not enjoy,” the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said in an interview with Zane Lowe of Apple Music.
“The training and the games did not make me happy every single day. All of that was difficult for me to adjust to. I was drawn to Inter [Miami] because it is a young, developing club that has only been around for a few years.”
PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi criticized Messi externally for lacking “respect” for the French club when he left them.
At the time, the Argentine said his relationship with PSG fans “fractured” after a “significant” number of supporters started to treat him differently.
Since joining Inter Miami, Messi has wanted to help both the club and MLS continue to “grow,” contributing 36 goals and 20 assists in 42 appearances.
He is also looking forward to Miami hosting the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup, which will feature PSG as well as Premier League sides Manchester City and Chelsea.
“I think this is very important for the club, especially to participate for the first time in a World Cup that will take place in the country, and for the MLS to have two teams is a wonderful thing,” added Messi.
“Everything that’s happening creates an opportunity for the MLS to keep growing in football as a league. And for other players to have the opportunity to come and keep growing.”