After a legendary run at Barcelona, where he was worshipped like royalty, Lionel Messi’s move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 was supposed to be a new golden chapter.
But behind the scenes, it turns out the Argentine icon had a much harder time adjusting than fans might’ve guessed.
A new interview with L’Équipe sheds light on why Messi’s time in Paris didn’t quite sparkle the way many hoped—and it might have something to do with club politics and Kylian Mbappé.
“He Was a God in Barcelona”—But Not in Paris
According to someone close to the Messi camp, life in Paris was a culture shock for the 38-year-old.
At Barça, Messi was a revered figure, not just on the pitch but off it—taking his kids to school in the sunshine, being celebrated at every turn.
In contrast, the Paris lifestyle felt isolating and unfamiliar.
“He didn’t have one good moment in Paris,” the source said.
“He found himself caught in the middle of the Neymar–Mbappé rivalry and felt the club protected Mbappé more than anyone else—even after Messi won the World Cup.”
The PSG Star Trio That Never Truly Clicked
When PSG brought Messi on board to join forces with Neymar and Mbappé, the football world was buzzing.
On paper, it looked like a dream attack. In reality, the chemistry just wasn’t there.
Sure, PSG managed to win Ligue 1 titles during Messi’s two seasons, but the magic never fully materialized on the pitch.
Friction between Neymar and Mbappé was already well-documented—and Messi, according to the insider, often found himself stuck in the middle, trying to navigate the tension.
A Controversial Trip That Marked the End
Things really took a turn in May 2023. Messi made an unapproved trip to Saudi Arabia—an outing that didn’t sit well with then-manager Christophe Galtier or the club hierarchy.
As a result, Messi was suspended for two weeks.
Though he returned to the squad after serving the suspension, that moment seemed to seal the deal.
By the end of the season, he had packed his bags for the United States, joining MLS side Inter Miami in a move that marked a fresh new start.
Mbappé and Neymar Also Exit as PSG Rewrite Their Story
Interestingly, Messi isn’t the only one who left the French capital.
Mbappé recently made the long-awaited move to Real Madrid, while Neymar headed back to Brazil, rejoining Santos after an underwhelming spell with Saudi club Al-Hilal.
But instead of faltering without their three biggest stars, PSG pulled off a stunning season under Luis Enrique.
They steamrolled their way to a Champions League title, knocking out heavyweights like Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Liverpool, before crushing Inter Milan 5–0 in the final.
Reunion on the Horizon?
Now, there’s a possible twist in this saga.
Messi could soon be facing his former club once again.
Inter Miami and PSG are set to clash in the Club World Cup round of 16 this Sunday—a match that’s sure to bring all kinds of emotions and memories back to the surface.