PSG Champions League losses 'massive disappointment': Messi

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
25 Jun 2023 15:42
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Messi was sidelined for a month during the winter break after he had contracted Covid, affecting chances of winning the Champions League.

Lionel Messi spent two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain (AFP)

In an interview with BeIN Sports on Sunday, Lionel Messi recalled his failure of securing a victory at the Champions League while playing for former club Paris Saint-Germain, describing it as a "massive disappointment."

"I came to Paris because I liked the club because I had friends in the dressing room... it seemed easier for me to adapt rather than another destination I could have gone to," Messi told the broadcaster.

"In reality, it was a very tough adaptation, much harder than I expected... with a new gameplan, new teammates, a new city."

"I arrived late, I didn't have a pre-season. The start was difficult for me, my family."

The 35-year-old Argentine forward, who spent the majority of his career at Barcelona, spent the last two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain before leaving the club earlier this month.

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In his first season for PSG, during which he scored 11 goals in 34 games, Messi was sidelined for a month during the winter break after he had contracted Covid.

"It took me time to refind my physical form," he admitted, adding that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar also took its toll.

"It's not an excuse but the World Cup played a big role. Some came back later than others, and some were injured, like Neymar."

"I think, generally, the level of Ligue 1 and the Champions League was affected by the World Cup."

Messi further said that losses in the Champions League against Real Madrid in 2022 and Bayern Munich this season were a "massive disappointment."

"In the beginning, it was great, I received a lot of encouragement... but later on a part of the Parisian fanbase treated me differently. The majority treated me well, but there was a rupture with a part of the public," he said.