Few departures in soccer history have been as emotional and controversial as Lionel Messi‘s exit from Barcelona. The Argentine magician was more than just the club’s best player; he was its identity.
Having arrived at La Masia as a child, Messi grew into Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer and the heartbeat of a golden era that delivered countless league titles, UEFA Champions League victories, and Copa del Rey triumphs. His departure in 2021, forced by financial constraints and La Liga‘s strict salary cap regulations, marked the end of an era and left the soccer world in shock.
Messi’s move to Paris Saint-Germain was supposed to herald a new chapter of dominance. With an attacking trio featuring Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe, expectations were sky-high. Many believed the Parisians would finally break their Champions League curse. Yet, despite their individual brilliance, the three superstars struggled to form the cohesive unit that could lead the club to European glory.
PSG‘s ambitions with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner were clear: to dominate Europe with an attacking force rarely seen in modern soccer. However, the much-hyped Messi-Mbappe-Neymar trio never fully clicked. Injuries, inconsistent performances, and tactical imbalance plagued the side. While PSG won two consecutive Ligue 1 titles, their struggles in the Champions League—where they suffered disappointing exits—highlighted deeper flaws in the project.
Unlike Barcelona, where the Argentine had thrived in a well-structured system, PSG’s approach was more individualistic. There was no clear playstyle that allowed the forward to replicate the brilliance that made him the best in the world. He often looked a shadow of himself, with flashes of brilliance overshadowed by a lack of chemistry and a frustrating system that didn’t maximize his strengths.
What did Messi say about his Barcelona exit and PSG struggles?
After two seasons in France, Messi made the decision to leave PSG in summer 2023, opting for a move to MLS side Inter Miami. While the move signaled a shift to a more relaxed environment, it also came with an admission that his time in Paris was far from enjoyable. In a candid interview with Apple TV, the 37-year-old finally opened up about his struggles at PSG, revealing that his transition from Barcelona was far from smooth.
“Coming to play for Inter Miami was a real opportunity and the way things developed in my last year in Paris, although it was a decision I had to make quickly, because I had to leave Barcelona, I went through two years which I didn’t enjoy,” he admitted.
“I wasn’t happy on a daily basis, with the training and also in 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, it’s very new, with just a few years as a club.”
