France's Lionel Messi admits a group of PSG fans no longer support him like they did in the early days.
On AS on June 23, Messi recounted his years with PSG. He said that at first, everything went very well, but then a part of the fans began to change. "There was a rift with a part of PSG fans," Messi said. "But that's how they treated me. Neymar and Mbappe were also treated the same way. I only keep memories with those who supported me."
The Argentine striker also said that after leaving Barca, he chose PSG because he liked the French club. Another part is that he values his relationship with Neymar and his acquaintance with many PSG players. However, the adaptation period was more difficult than he imagined. "I joined late and there was no pre-season," Messi said. "My family and I had to adapt to a new city with difficulty. It was complicated."
Messi celebrates the final goal for PSG, bringing the Ligue 1 championship one round early on May 27. Photo: LP
In August 2021, Messi joined PSG right after Barca refused to renew his contract. He did not have much time to choose a club like other free transfer players. However, Messi still achieved positive performance. In his first season, he contributed 11 goals and 15 assists in 39 matches. The following season, the achievement increased to 20 goals and 21 assists in 41 matches. He won two Ligue 1 titles and a French Super Cup.
The relationship between Messi and PSG fans began to deteriorate at the beginning of 2023. After the defeat in the 1/8 round of the Champions League for the second consecutive time, a group of fans criticized Messi. In the last matches of the season, the fanatic group continuously booed the 2022 World Cup champion.
Relations between the two sides were also strained after Messi went to Saudi Arabia to promote tourism in early May. Messi had planned this in advance, but PSG made the players practice right after the loss to Lorient in Ligue 1. Messi posted an apology video after the trip, saying he had postponed it once and could not do otherwise.
Messi did not renew his two-year contract with PSG. He refused to return to Barca, claiming that he had not received an official invitation. To avoid being pushed into a passive position like before, the 35-year-old striker chose Inter Miami as his next destination. The American club was founded by former player David Beckham in 2018. On July 21, Messi could debut for Inter Miami in a friendly against Cruz Azul, Mexico.
Thanh Quy (according to AS )
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