Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain, expressed regret over Lionel Messi’s remarks about the club after the Argentinian star left for Inter Miami. The club chief clarified that while he holds Messi in high regard, criticizing PSG is not acceptable and does not reflect respect for the organization, underscoring a desire for players to speak positively about their former teams while still part of them, rather than only after their departure, a stance he described as not aligned with PSG’s ethos. (RMC Sport)
Al-Khelaifi also acknowledged Messi’s legendary status, noting the difficulty of Messi’s transition from Barcelona after a long tenure there. He highlighted the abundance of club talent, including Kylian Mbappe, and recalled the contributions of other stars who have worn the PSG shirt. The message conveyed is one of admiration for Messi while reaffirming the club’s expectation that players maintain a constructive relationship with the club at all times. (RMC Sport)
Messi’s departure from PSG came at the close of the previous season, with him signing a contract to join Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. In June, the 36-year-old forward reflected on the two challenging years he spent in Paris, a period characterized by high expectations and intense scrutiny from fans and media alike. (RMC Sport)
Messi’s move to Inter Miami was finalized in the summer of 2023. On August 20, he helped the team win the League Cup, marking his first trophy in the United States. After 14 appearances for Inter Miami, Messi tallied 11 goals and 5 assists, as MLS paused ahead of the new season to regroup and recalibrate. (RMC Sport)
The Argentinian forward achieved the pinnacle of international success by lifting the FIFA World Cup with Argentina in December 2022. That triumph added a historic milestone to his already storied career, with seven goals scored across seven matches, including four from penalties. (RMC Sport)
Earlier in his career, Messi had already experienced a period in the United States that influenced perceptions of his style of play and impact on the game in the league. The move to Inter Miami marked a new chapter, bringing a global icon into MLS and contributing to the league’s growing profile. (RMC Sport)