Nasser Al-Khelaifi hits back at Lionel Messi's World Cup celebration comments with PSG
Lionel Messi defeated former PSG teammate Mbappe on penalties to win 2022 World Cup
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Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain, responded to Lionel Messi's assertion that he was the only player on Argentina's World Cup-winning team who received no recognition from his club.
Although remaining at PSG, the 36-year-old and the Albiceleste defeated France in Qatar the winter before to take the 2022 World Cup.
Messi recently acknowledged he 'wasn't happy' at the Parc des Princes and looked dissatisfied with the way he was treated following the World Cup in a conversation with Miguel Granados on OLGA.
“As everyone saw, because we even published a video, we celebrated Messi in training, and we also celebrated him in private,” said Al-Khelaifi.
“But with respect, we are a French club. Of course, it was sensitive to celebrate in the stadium,” “We have to respect the country he defeated, his French teammates, and our supporters too,” finished Al Khelaifi.
In a dramatic finale in Qatar, Messi and PSG colleague Kylian Mbappe both shone, combining for five goals as Argentina prevailed on penalties.
Throughout his stint in the French city, Messi made 75 appearances and scored 32 goals, earning back-to-back Ligue 1 championships in the process.
He left PSG in June to join MLS team Inter Miami, but was unable to lead them through the round of 16 in the Champions League.
Messi's tenure at the club wasn't free of trouble; previously this year, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner was banned for two weeks after making an unauthorised vacation to Saudi Arabia.