Messi’s Journey: From PSG Challenges to MLS Aspirations

In the summer of 2021, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), successfully persuaded Lionel Messi to join the club following his departure from FC Barcelona.

At that time, Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Neymar formed a highly celebrated attacking trio in European football. Despite the star-studded lineup, the PSG team struggled to find synergy. While Messi contributed to securing back-to-back Ligue 1 titles, he could not propel the team beyond the Champions League round of 16.

Messi faced numerous challenges during his tenure at the club, notably a deteriorating relationship with the fans in Paris. Ultimately, these issues prompted the Argentine legend to leave Parc des Princes and join Inter Miami, a team owned by David Beckham in Major League Soccer (MLS).

Leonardo, who served as PSG’s sporting director from 2019 to 2022, played a pivotal role in bringing Messi to the club. Nearly two-and-a-half years after Messi’s exit, Leonardo has shared insights regarding the Argentine’s difficulties while in Paris. In an interview with RMC Sport, he stated, “Messi wanted to stay at Barça, but when Barcelona couldn’t retain him, PSG was his first choice. Afterward, there was a lot of misunderstanding, making it difficult for him. Having spent 20 years in one place, adjusting to a new environment was challenging. Claiming he wasn’t happy was a means of self-defense. The elimination by Real Madrid in the 2021-22 Champions League added to the complications.”

In a recent episode of the Charla Podcast, former PSG and Brazil midfielder Rafinha shared his thoughts on why the Messi era at PSG did not succeed. He remarked, “During pre-season, in the first training session with everyone present, I thought, ‘This can’t possibly work.’ Take the goalkeeper position: with Keylor Navas and Gianluigi Donnarumma, the one who doesn’t play will be upset. In defense, Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe, and Sergio Ramos are all starters, making it impossible to replace any of them. In attack, with Ángel Di María, Mbappé, Neymar, and Messi, determining who to bench is a challenge. Di María’s contribution makes him indispensable, so managing such a talented group proved to be extremely difficult. Although they had the best players in the world, the situation was complex for a coach. I was observing from the sidelines.”

After winning the MLS Supporters’ Shield in 2024, Messi and Inter Miami are now focused on achieving their first MLS Cup title. Finishing as the top scorer in the regular season with 34 goals, Messi aims to lead his team to the ultimate accolade. Recently, he signed a new contract with Inter Miami, extending his stay in Florida until 2028.

Despite his new chapter, Messi still cherishes his time at Barcelona. He recently made a surprise visit to the newly renovated Camp Nou, sharing his emotional experience on social media. He wrote, “Last night, I returned to a place I miss deeply—where I was immensely happy, and where you all made me feel like the happiest person in the world. I hope one day I can return, not just to say goodbye as a player, as I never got the chance to do so.”