The Argentinian captain has complained about his time at PSG since leaving the French city.
Lionel Messi has again criticized Paris Saint-Germain, claiming the French club failed to acknowledge his World Cup victory despite all of his Argentina teammates receiving recognition from their individual clubs.
Messi stated in an interview with ESPN that PSG did not celebrate his World Cup victory, which came after Argentina defeated France in a thrilling penalty shootout.
The Inter Miami football player claimed, “I was the only player of the 25 who didn’t get a [club] recognition.”
Later, Messi made a suggestion that he knew why, given that his team had defeated France in the final.
It was reasonable… The 36-year-old icon said, “They [France] didn’t retain the World Cup because of us [Argentina].
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of PSG, disagreed with Messi’s assertion that the team did nothing to celebrate Argentina’s World Cup victory.
“We celebrated Messi in training and we also celebrated him in private, as everyone saw because we even published a video,” he said to RMC Sport.
“But with all due respect, our club is French. Of course, celebrating at the stadium was inappropriate. Al-Khelaifi continued, “We must respect the nation he vanquished, his comrades on the France squad, and our supporters as well.
In the January video that Al-Khelaifi refers to, Messi can be seen at a PSG-hosted celebration of his World Cup victory.
Before receiving a trophy bearing his name, the football player is seen heading through a tunnel flanked by his teammates and club employees.
Argentina defeated France 4-2 on penalties in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar thanks to goals from Messi in both the regular and overtime periods.
In June, Messi left PSG and accepted a lucrative contract from Saudi Arabia to join Inter Miami until December 2025.
Messi stated he did not regret his time at the club despite the constant jeers from the crowd.
“That’s how it played out. Although it was not what I had anticipated, he said, “I always say things happen for a reason.
“Even if I wasn’t feeling well there, it just so happened that I was world champion while I was there,” Messi continued.
No urge to reduce speed
Messi, who is already in his late 30s, has stated that he is content with his time in the US and doesn’t plan to retire anytime soon.
“I love what I do, I enjoy playing, and now it’s a different way,” he declared. “You experience it in a different way, which is why I chose to come to Miami rather than continue my career elsewhere.”
Messi stated he is doubtful if he will play for his nation at the 2026 World Cup despite having confirmed he will participate in the 2024 Copa America.
“I do think about the Copa América [in 2024],” the superstar said.
“We’ll see after the Copa America; it all depends on how I feel. There are three years left, so I’ll see how I feel each day. I stop and play as usual even if my level of play is slipping. However, the fact is that I’m getting older, I’ve played a lot of games, and everyone gets older.
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