Lionel Messi has candidly confessed that he had no desire to join Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, delivering blunt comments aimed at his former club.
Addressing a press conference held in Miami, the illustrious seven-time Ballon d’Or recipient discussed his fresh endeavor in Major League Soccer (MLS).
The iconic Barcelona figure notably declined the opportunity to return to his former club in Catalonia in June, ultimately opting to embark on a new journey in the United States.
Since his arrival at the new team, Messi has remarkably netted nine goals across six appearances. His team is now poised to compete in the Leagues Cup final scheduled for this weekend.
The Argentine admitted that he and his family are enjoying their new life.
As perTyC Sports, Messi said: “We are still finishing getting settled, we arrived in Miami a month and a half ago.
“We still don’t have the house which we are going to live in, but it was very easy to choose [Miami].
“We were convinced to come to this place and the people made it very easy, both at the club since we arrived and the fans or the people I meet on the street.
“The city is spectacular and makes it possible for you to live the day quietly and very easily. The children start school soon. While there is little left [to do], it was easier than we thought. It had been complicated [moving] from Barcelona to Paris.”
The World Cup winner then took a sly dig at the Paris side and the means by which he had moved away from Barcelona.
He continued: “I’m happy, enjoying this new stage and the experience of living in this country that is something that always crossed my mind. We are in the place where we want to be.
“Me going to Paris was neither planned nor desired. I did not want to leave Barcelona and it became difficult. But it is the opposite of what is happening to me now thanks to God.”
Messi’s signing to PSG was the conclusion of a messy transfer saga in the summer of 2021.
The forward has intended on extending the contract at his boyhood team, however, president Joan Laporta and Barcelona fell short in securing his services due to problems navigating Financial Fair Play (FFP).
This paved the way for Messi to join PSG for free, although it was clear that the football icon hadn’t wished to leave Camp Nou in a tearful press conference.
FFP also proved to cause problems in 2023 as Barcelona struggled to find the means to recapture their greatest player.
Instead of waiting around, Messi decided to join the David Beckham and Jorge Mas owned team in the United States.