Former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Jerome Roten discussed Lionel Messi’s potential involvement in the Olympic Games hosted in Paris, weighing the public reactions such a return might trigger from fans and media alike.
Roten suggested that while it would be inappropriate to berate Messi if he returned to Paris and wore Argentina’s jersey with pride, there could be a moment of crowd tension when he steps onto the pitch. The remarks appeared during a segment on the Writen program.
Messi captured the world title with Argentina in December 2022, marking a pinnacle achievement in his storied career. He delivered seven goals across seven matches in the tournament, with four coming from penalties, and he scored twice in the final against France to secure the trophy for his nation.
Later, Messi claimed the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time, a testament to his enduring impact on the sport, announced on October 30 of that year. His club career also took a new turn after two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain, with a transfer to Inter Miami in the summer of 2023. On August 20, he helped Inter Miami win the Leagues Cup, their first major trophy in North American soccer. Across 14 appearances for the club, Messi produced 11 goals and 5 assists as he continued to influence games from the front line. The MLS season typically pauses for breaks, allowing players to rest and reset ahead of the next campaign.
Messi has previously spoken about his reactions to pivotal moments in big matches, including the World Cup final where Kylian Mbappé leveled the score, a moment that drew intense discussion and analysis from fans and commentators.