The Argentine forward Lionel Messi has spoken about his challenging first days with Paris Saint-Germain, reflecting on how big a shift it was after a long and beloved stint with Barcelona. He described the move as a shock to the system, noting that he expected to stay in Barcelona longer and that the transition happened in a matter of days, forcing him to adjust his entire life in a short period.
Joining PSG meant entering a different league, joining a club with a new culture, and finding a fresh dressing room to call home. The change caught him off guard in several ways, and he admits that the initial period was hard because nothing felt familiar. Yet that period also marked the start of a new chapter, one that required patience and a steady rhythm as he settled into a different environment and a new set of teammates.
Messi wore the PSG jersey from 2021 through 2023, following a remarkable 17-year tenure with Barcelona that shaped his career and his legend. The switch to PSG came after a long association with Barcelona, where his development, success, and leadership left an enduring mark on the club and its supporters.
In the summer of 2023, Lionel Messi moved to Inter Miami. The moment he joined, the club celebrated a milestone by lifting the League Cup on August 20, securing the first major trophy in the club’s American era. Across his early MLS appearances for Inter Miami, Messi accumulated impressive numbers, contributing 11 goals and 5 assists after 14 matches, and he continued to deliver goals and plays in the fresh MLS season, recording three goals and one assist over the first three games. The early MLS period highlighted his continued impact as a central figure in the team’s attack, helping to raise the profile of the league in North America.
Outside club football, Messi reached a pinnacle with the Argentine national team in December 2022, winning the FIFA World Cup. That triumph marked the first World Cup title in the career of a player who had already achieved extraordinary success at club level, making the moment a defining highlight in the sport’s history as well as a deeply meaningful moment for fans across Argentina and around the world.
As for his future plans, Messi has been asked about retirement and has indicated that such a decision is not imminent. The question of leaving the competitive level he has thrived in remains unanswered, with the star continuing to focus on contributing to his teams and enjoying the game. For supporters in Canada and the United States, Messi’s ongoing journey—across Europe and North America—continues to be a source of fascination and inspiration, underscoring how a player of his caliber remains closely watched by fans, pundits, and aspiring players alike.