Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, didn’t hold back in a recent conversation, describing his time at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) as “crap.” The revelation came after a recent Inter Miami clash, where the Argentinian star opened up to former Charlotte FC midfielder Brecht Dejaegere, shedding light on his frustrations during his two-year stint in Ligue 1.
Messi, who joined PSG in 2021 with sky-high expectations of delivering the elusive Champions League trophy to the French giants, left the club under less-than-ideal circumstances. While he did secure back-to-back Ligue 1 titles, Messi, alongside teammates Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, fell short in the Champions League, crashing out in the round of 16 both seasons. Ultimately, Messi departed Paris for a new chapter in MLS, joining Inter Miami in the summer of 2023, where he has enjoyed a resurgence in form and happiness.
Dejaegere, a lifelong Messi fan, took the opportunity to ask the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner how life in Miami compared to his turbulent time in France. “At the final whistle, I asked him if he felt better in Miami than in France,” Dejaegere recounted to RTBF. Messi’s response was blunt and revealing. “He told me that for him, at PSG, it was ‘crap’.” The Argentine reflected on how, despite a warm initial welcome from Parisians, the situation quickly soured after their Champions League failures, leading to Messi being regularly whistled by the fans—a treatment that left him disillusioned and frustrated.
Messi’s time at PSG was marred by more than just on-field disappointments. In May 2023, the Argentine was suspended by the club for two weeks after traveling to Saudi Arabia without permission, a situation that symbolized the growing rift between Messi and the club. The atmosphere in Paris became increasingly hostile, with fans turning against him, especially following the club’s underwhelming performances in Europe. By the time his departure was confirmed, it was clear that Messi’s brief adventure in France had not gone according to plan.
Since moving to Inter Miami, Messi has experienced a career revival, enjoying both on-field success and a more welcoming environment. His arrival has brought unprecedented attention to soccer in the United States, with the 37-year-old leading the Herons to their first-ever Supporters’ Shield triumph. Despite a recent injury, Messi is back in action, and now his sights are set on adding the MLS Cup to his growing list of accomplishments with the Florida-based club.
Messi’s move to MLS has transformed him into a cult hero in the U.S., where he has helped elevate the profile of soccer to new heights. Having already tasted success with Inter Miami, Messi now aims to guide the team to further glory in the MLS Cup, cementing his legacy in yet another chapter of his illustrious career.
For Messi, his time at PSG may be a chapter he’d prefer to forget, but his journey in Miami has only just begun, and the future looks bright for the Argentine legend in the United States.
