Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
Topics: Lionel Messi, PSG, Inter Miami, MLS, Ligue 1
Jack Kenmare
Lionel Messi gave his thoughts on Paris Saint-Germain and their recent Champions League win after he came up against his former club at the Club World Cup.
PSG booked their place in the Club World Cup quarter-final on Sunday as goals from Joao Neves [2], Achraf Hakimi and an own goal from Tomas Aviles sealed a convincing 4-0 win against Inter Miami in Atlanta.
The big talking point ahead of kick-off was Messi, who was coming up against one of his former clubs for the first time in his career after Miami emerged from Group A in second place with an unbeaten record.
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Messi's relationship with PSG is far from perfect. He memorably aimed a dig at the Ligue 1 club, claiming he did not receive recognition for winning the World Cup.
"I was the only player that didn't receive recognition from the club compared to my 25 other teammates," he told Olga.
The Argentine also claimed life at the Parisian club was "crap", according to former Toulouse and Charlotte FC player Brecht Dejaegere, who spoke to the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner following an MLS clash.
"He told me that for him, at PSG, it was 'crap'. Yes, 'crap'," Dejaegere told RTBF. "Because if at the beginning, the welcome from the Parisians had been good, he had been taken against following the failure in the Champions League: he was whistled at every ball and he was fed up."
It was ultimately an afternoon to forget for the Argentine and his teammates as they succumbed to a humbling defeat against the European champions.
After the full-time whistle on Sunday, Messi was asked to give his thoughts on PSG.
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"PSG is a great team, the winners of the last Champions League, and the truth is they’re doing very very well. It was what we expected," he said, as per DSPORTS.
"It was the match we anticipated, we tried to do our best, and well, we left a good impression in terms of the Club World Cup.
"There was a bit of a bitter feeling after the match with Palmeiras because we were winning 2-0, and we ended up drawing, which made us face this PSG team that’s much tougher. But it’s not a criticism, just a situation that could have been different because being up 2-0 and then conceding the equaliser with 10 minutes left left us with a bitter taste."
Messi added: "I think we competed. Now that’s it, it’s over. We have to think about what’s coming next in our own tournament."
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Messi spent two seasons at PSG between 2021 and 2023 after leaving Barcelona, scoring 32 goals in 75 games and won two Ligue 1 titles, before moving to MLS side Inter Miami.
It's clear that the Argentine has no bitter feelings towards the French club, and respects their standing as one of the best teams in world football.