Javier Pastore has publicly supported Paris Saint-Germain in its decision not to celebrate Lionel Messi’s World Cup triumph last year, reinforcing a stance that keeps club sentiment separate from national glory.
In recent remarks, the Argentina captain indicated that he was the only member of the Albiceleste squad who could not join in the celebrations after their World Cup win against a former team, Paris Saint-Germain, during December’s tournament. PSG chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi later commented on Messi’s remarks, explaining that the decision to refrain from a victory celebration was a gesture rooted in respect for the people of France and Paris, who had endured a painful final defeat to Argentina.
Pastore, a former teammate of Messi for Argentina and a former PSG star, has now stated his support for PSG’s approach to not celebrate Argentina’s Qatar victory. In an interview with RMC Sport, Pastore clarified that while he did not discuss the matter with Messi, the choice not to celebrate carried significance. He noted that it would have felt awkward to celebrate a world title in a country that had lost the final, stressing that the club’s response was meant to spare any sour moment for France and for Parisian players who had represented their nation on the world stage.
He added that after the event, players are free to hold their own opinions. Given his absence from the club in the past two years, and not having been Messi’s teammate during those seasons, Pastore said he could not claim to know all the details of what transpired behind the scenes. He emphasized that the matter remained between PSG and Messi rather than something he could fully adjudicate from the outside.
Messi’s departure from PSG came after two seasons, with the forward then moving to Major League Soccer to join Inter Miami. The transition marked a new chapter for the Argentine superstar, who continued to draw attention for his performance, leadership, and impact on the field as he shifted into a different league and environment.
The ongoing discourse around the timing and tone of celebrations around World Cup victories has once again placed the relationship between clubs and players in the spotlight. It highlights how football narratives can intersect with national pride, local loyalties, and the personal histories of those involved, sometimes leading to nuanced debates about respect, solidarity, and interpretation across leagues and continents.
As the season progressed, Messi’s fitness and form remained a focal point for Inter Miami as they prepared for key fixtures. There was continued scrutiny over his injury status and how it might affect upcoming matches, including the U.S. Open Cup final against the Houston Dynamo. The outcome of those matches would shape perceptions of Messi’s contributions in the short term and his broader legacy within American soccer, while also influencing the conversation around PSG’s past and present stances toward former players who achieved global success with Argentina.
In reflecting on these developments, observers noted how the interplay between club dynamics and national pride can complicate simple celebrations after major triumphs. The episode underscored the idea that football is a tapestry of loyalties, memories, and strategic choices, where actions taken in victory or restraint can carry significance beyond a single game or season. The broader takeaway is that clubs often navigate delicate boundaries when honoring achievements that belong to players, nations, and fans alike, balancing respect with the competitiveness that defines the sport.
Source: Goal