According to French outlet RMC, Paris Saint-Germain will face Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the Club World Cup round of 16. The former PSG player is expected to draw close attention from Paris fans.
Since leaving the French capital, Messi has frequently criticized both the club and his life in Paris. RMC Sport has compiled a timeline of his remarks.
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June 2023: “I wasn’t happy during those two years”
On June 3, 2023, shortly after his final game for PSG against Clermont (a 2–3 defeat), Messi told Sport and Mundo Deportivo that he was not happy in France:
“I wasn’t happy during those two years, I didn’t enjoy it. That affected my family life—I missed out on a lot of time with my kids.”
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August 2023: “I didn’t want to go to Paris”
During his official unveiling at Inter Miami, Messi clarified that leaving Barcelona was not his choice:
“As I said back then, I didn’t want to leave Barça. Everything happened overnight. After spending so many years in Barcelona, I had to quickly adapt to a new environment. It was tough. But fortunately, this [Miami] is nothing like Paris.”
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September 2023: “No recognition after winning the World Cup”
In an interview on the OLGA YouTube channel, Messi expressed disappointment over the lack of celebration after Argentina’s World Cup victory:
“I’m the only World Cup winner who received no recognition.”
Still, he acknowledged the public’s disappointment:
“I was in the country we had just beaten in the final.”
Days later, Neymar told O Globo:
“Messi went through hell in Paris. We both did. We gave our all. We were champions, we wanted to make history… but unfortunately, it didn’t happen.”
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October 2023: No mention of PSG at Ballon d’Or ceremony
After winning his eighth Ballon d’Or, Messi did not mention PSG, its players, or staff despite spending two years with them. At the press conference, he said:
“From a sporting point of view, things didn’t go as I’d hoped, but I have some good memories.”
He added:
“I don’t think people wanted me to display the Ballon d’Or at the Parc des Princes.”
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January 2024: PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi responds
In an RMC broadcast, PSG president Al-Khelaifi responded to Messi’s remarks:
“I respect him a lot, but speaking poorly of PSG is not right. That’s not respect. He’s not a bad person, but I don’t like that. I expect players to speak up while they’re here, not after they’ve left. That’s not our style.”
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June 2024: “Neighbors stopped us from making noise”
In an ESPN interview, Messi talked about the challenges of living in France, especially with his neighbors:
“In Paris, they’d ring our doorbell at 9 or 10 p.m. to say the kids shouldn’t be playing with the ball. They stopped us from making noise. I don’t blame them, but unfortunately, things didn’t go as we or they had hoped. It affected my mental state and my performance on the pitch. I didn’t feel good personally in Paris.”
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October 2024: Former Toulouse player says Messi called PSG spell “hell”
Former Toulouse player Brecht Dejaegere, now playing for Charlotte in MLS, shared a conversation with Messi after a game:
“I asked him if Miami felt better than France. He told me playing for PSG was hell. Yes, hell. At first, the PSG fans were welcoming, but after the Champions League elimination, he was shocked—he got booed every match. He’d had enough.”
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February–April 2025: “I didn’t feel right in daily life or training”
In a February interview with Apple Music, Messi again touched on his unpleasant time at PSG:
“Those two years weren’t enjoyable. I was unhappy every day, in training and matches. It took me a long time to adjust.”
In April, on Simplemente Futbol, he added:
“My family was fine, but I didn’t feel comfortable in daily life or training.”
JK25
72
Biggest joker in psg history, after he left the club won ucl
MUTABARUKS
50
Those who understand basic English can confirm he never said anything negative about the club, or the City. He doesn’t blame anyone for anything, it was just different. Good thing it gave him the World Cup impetus, when one door closes, another one opens. #D10S#
fuceilpry
40
Biggest joker in psg history, after he left the club won ucl
It was Mbappe the biggest joker since Messi is not the main player at PSG he did his job well assisting Mbappe.
fuceilpry
33
Biggest joker in psg history, after he left the club won ucl
Only if psg has a history🤣
Pecelrtuz
26
Biggest joker in psg history, after he left the club won ucl
Talk about mbappe man, or u have no sense
biwaemotuy
26
Biggest joker in psg history, after he left the club won ucl
you talking abt Real Penalty Player Kylian Diver Mbappe right
vaeklmpyz
23
Messi 4 ucl… psg 1 ucl/. Messi 2 treble… psg 1 treble/…. Messi 6 golden boot… psg 0/…. Messi 8 ballondr… psg 😖
Fudabcdmnt
20
Biggest joker in psg history, after he left the club won ucl
How about he World Cup he won you think I think Messi is the greatest ever.
Fioacmprsz
10
Biggest joker in psg history, after he left the club won ucl
That Joker used PSG and France to prepare for world cup and won against France
Sovoty
9
Biggest joker in psg history, after he left the club won ucl
Seems like you are talking abt Mbappe, who has never won a UCL. But even Mbappe wouldn't care much bcos he has won a WC that a certain self proclaimed goat has never even got to play a final.
Riabcknsz
8
Biggest joker in psg history, after he left the club won ucl
Dude your Club is Circus full of clowns.. Still you have guts to call GOAT a joker ! Lol maybe try to finish Mid-table in PL first
Misbdikprs
8
Biggest joker in psg history, after he left the club won ucl
he is the joker and you are the fools
Richcapone442
8
Biggest joker in psg history, after he left the club won ucl
After he left they played 2 seasons are u dumb