Lionel Messi opens up about his time at Paris Saint-Germain

The Argentine spent two years at the French club.

Lionel Messi claims that throughout his two years with Paris St-Germain, he “didn’t enjoy” playing for the team. After 21 years at Barcelona, the 37-year-old joined the French team in 2021.

Messi had 32 goals and 35 assists in 76 games for the French club before departing almost two years ago to join David Beckham co-owned Major League Soccer team, Inter Miami.

Speaking to Zane Lowe of Apple Music, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner stated: “Coming to play for Inter Miami was an opportunity and the way things developed during my last years in Paris, although it was a decision that I had to make on the go, because I had to leave from Barcelona, I went through two years which I didn’t enjoy.

“I wasn’t happy on a daily basis, with the training, the matches. I had a hard time adapting to all that. I felt called to come to Inter [Miami] because it’s a club that’s growing, very new, with few years as a club.”

Lionel Messi says that he "wasn't happy" at PSG 😕 pic.twitter.com/JtNTedndBS

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 1, 2025

When Messi departed PSG, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the club’s chairman, criticized him for not showing “respect” for the French team.

According to the Argentine at the time, his relationship with PSG supporters “fractured” when a “significant” portion of them began to treat him differently.

Messi has contributed 36 goals and 20 assists in 42 games since joining Inter Miami, wanting to help the team and Major League Soccer “grow.”

He is particularly excited for Inter Miami to play in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which will include PSG in addition to Manchester City and Chelsea of the Premier League.

“I think this is very important for the club, especially, to participate for the first time in a Club 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.”

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