Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain, has responded to Lionel Messi’s claim that the club failed to recognize his World Cup victory. Messi is a seven-time winner of the Ballon d’Or award.
After four previous World Cup championships ended in sadness for the superstar striker, Messi drove Argentina to victory in Qatar in December to capture the nation’s first World Cup triumph in 36 years and finish his personal trophy collection.
Messi received a personal trophy on his return to PSG training after the tournament and was given a guard of honor by his teammates prior to his first session back. Messi joined PSG in 2021 when Barcelona were unable to register his contract but has since left for Inter Miami.
Messi, who was the newly crowned world champion, seemed to take issue with the lack of fanfare at his first game, referencing what his Argentina teammates received at their separate teams.
Messi noted that it was France that Argentina defeated in the final and appeared to comprehend why PSG were hesitant to praise him in front of their supporters. Only one other player was under contract to a French team, Nicolas Tagliafico of Lyon. But it didn’t stop Messi from discussing it in a recent ESPN interview.
“I was the only player of the [squad] that didn’t get a [club] recognition,” he claimed. It was reasonable that France didn’t win the World Cup back because of Argentina.
Al-Khelaifi was questioned over Messi’s remarks in his own interview with RMC.
We honored Messi in training as everyone could see—we even issued a video—and we also celebrated privately, he said.
But please remember that we are a French club. It was only natural to hold the celebration at the stadium. However, we must show respect to the French people, the nation he defeated, and our supporters. Messi, who is a fantastic player, was with us. Being around him made us happy.
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