Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has, for the first time, responded to suggestions that he made the wrong decision in signing for Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
PSG switch
The name of Argentine international Messi of course took centre stage in the media over the latter weeks of the transfer window.
This came with the 34-year-old having been forced to close the legendary Barcelona chapter of his career, to instead seek out a new club.
Just hours after it was suggested that Messi was on the verge of putting pen to paper on a new deal at the Camp Nou, the Blaugrana released a statement, confirming the departure of their greatest ever player:
LATEST NEWS | Leo #Messi will not continue with FC Barcelona
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 5, 2021
Widespread chatter immediately followed in the media, amid mass speculation surrounding where Messi, a free agent for the first time in his career, was set to end up next.
When all was said and done, though, despite the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United all being tipped as potential landing spots, it came as little surprise when the 6-time Ballon d’Or winner opted to take his talents to France, with Paris Saint-Germain:
A new 💎 in Paris!
PSGxMESSI ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/scrp1su9a6
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 10, 2021
‘Not a mistake’
Messi’s stint in Paris, all told, has since proven something of a mixed bag.
The veteran has thus far been afforded five appearances (four starts) between Ligue 1 and the Champions League, notching a solitary goal in the process.
And what a goal it proved, the 2nd in PSG’s 2-0 downing of Premier League champions Manchester City, good enough for Champions League Goal of the Round last time out:
The Goal of the Week results are in – and it’s good news for Leo Messi 🙌#UCLGOTW | @Heineken | #UCL pic.twitter.com/MlnocL2eKF
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 30, 2021
Despite the Argentine still being very much in the thick of his adaptation period at the Parc des Princes, however, fans, unsurprisingly, have not been shy in highlighting Messi’s reduced rate of production to this point (a testament to his borderline ridiculous consistency across his career).
In turn, with Messi having also not been shy in making his frustration with Mauricio Pochettino clear late last month, it came as little surprise when the 34-year-old was this week drawn on his current mindset in Paris.
During an exclusive interview with France Football, Messi was drawn on suggestions that he may already be regretting his decision to link up with PSG.
The iconic attacker, however, was quick to assure that:
‘I did not make a mistake by signing for PSG.’
Messi: I did not make a mistake signing for PSG https://t.co/kmkMsKc7rE
— SPORT English (@Sport_EN) October 7, 2021
France Football’s in-depth interview is set to be released this weekend.
Manchester United’s Paul Pogba ready to sign new contract, on one major condition
Matteo Guendouzi takes subtle Arsenal swipe in interview ahead of potential France debut
