The Argentinian star and the Portuguese teammate clashed during a training session, a moment that L’Equipe later recounted in detail for readers of the famous French sports daily.
Messi’s time in Paris carried its share of rough edges. It wasn’t just about managerial turmoil or a center of the pitch that sometimes failed to click; it was also about the friction inside the locker room. The cordial bond he hoped to share with the Argentina national team and Inter Miami did not always translate to a smooth atmosphere at PSG, leaving aspects of his Parisian chapter shrouded in question.
The diary feature from L’Equipe, appearing in print, explored one heated exchange that involved the now 10th world champion during his spell with the club, offering fans a rare glimpse into a volatile moment of his routine with the squad.
LOOK AT MESSI’S STATISTICS AT PSG
The fight between Messi and Vitinha
In February 2023, after Messi had recommitted himself to football in Qatar, tensions rose during a training drill with Vitinha. The disagreement escalated into a clash that sparked anger in La Pulga, who reportedly fired a pointed remark toward his teammate after a mistimed touch. The quarrel, described in French outlets, captured a moment when the Argentinian icon challenged a colleague with a sharp critique, saying something along the lines of a warning about focus and effort.
The article notes that this confrontation remained the main focus of the printed report and was not carried into the online version of the magazine. It also mentions that, following Messi’s outburst, Vitinha considered asking for a move away from the club, a decision that was reportedly steadied by the counsel of Danilo, who urged him to stay and work through the internal tension.
Vitinha’s version
The Portuguese winger issued a brief statement on X in which he pushed back against the allegations, asserting that the entire scenario did not unfold as described. He emphasized that the reported incident was untrue and clarified his position publicly.
More about Messi
All of Messi’s goals during his PSG tenure are documented and revisited for fans who want to relive the moments of his Paris stay.
His goodbye video at PSG is also highlighted as a memorable moment from the chapter in Paris, a keepsake for supporters who followed his career closely.
There is also a retrospective on Messi’s goals at Inter Miami, recounting every strike and contribution since the move across the Atlantic.
These recounts are part of a broader celebration of Messi’s prolific career and the varied phases that have defined his journey through Europe and America.
For readers seeking a concise snapshot, the coverage pinpoints the key event, frames the emotions behind the moment, and then broadens out to map Messi’s impact on the clubs and leagues he has touched. The narrative confirms that even a player of Messi’s stature can face friction with teammates, and it underscores how professional resilience is tested in high-stakes environments. The surrounding commentary situates the Paris chapter within the wider arc of a storied career, where expectations, pressure, and personal dynamics continually intersect on the field.
Ultimately, the PSG episode is part of a long arc that tracks how elite players navigate intense scrutiny, evolving tactics, and shifting rooms of teammates who bring their own ambitions to every training ground and matchday. The broader takeaway is that greatness in football often comes with challenges that test leadership, patience, and the ability to harmonize individual brilliance with collective goals, across leagues and continents. The material is shaped to offer both a narrative of a single moment and a window into the broader human side of top-level sport, where legends still learn and adjust in real time.
Note: This overview draws on reports and official statements to present a balanced view of the incident, including the contemporaneous claims and the responses from those involved. The coverage remains a reflection of what was publicly discussed at the time, paired with ongoing assessments of Messi’s evolving career across clubs and competitions.
Citational attribution: Goal