Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the 'absolute power' of French 'giants' Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), took a 'public snipe' at Lionel Messi. Why?
Messi made the move of the century in 2021. He left Barcelona, the Spanish club that was everything to him, to join PSG. The arrival of the "God of Soccer" gave PSG a world-class attacking lineup of Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe. Messi's new challenge had begun. The eyes of world soccer were on Paris.
But Messi couldn't find Barcelona glory at PSG. Despite winning the French Ligue 1 title, PSG's biggest ambition, the UEFA Champions League (UCL), was an early exit.
After two seasons with PSG, Messi chose to part ways with the club. There was no indication of a re-signing. Messi joined American Major League Soccer club Inter Miami.
After leaving PSG, Messi continued to express his negative feelings towards the club.
After winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he wanted to be welcomed back to PSG, but he was not, as Argentina won the tournament by beating France in the final. The club banned Messi from performing his World Cup victory ceremony.
"I can understand that. Argentina won the World Cup, and it was our fault that France didn't become champions. I was the only one of the 26 members of Argentina's World Cup-winning squad who was not welcomed at the club," he said.
Messi also expressed his frustration with the PSG fans who booed him, saying, "Some of them started treating me differently".
"It was a mistake for me to leave Barcelona and come to PSG. The last two years in Paris were chaotic. I came to Inter Miami to be happy. After two complicated years in Paris, I can enjoy my career again," he said. 카지노사이트
Messi's 'best friend' Neymar also weighed in, saying: "At PSG, Messi went to hell. Messi was unhappy in Paris. We were nothing to PSG. Messi and I did our best, but we weren't treated fairly".
Al-Khelaifi, who had remained silent in the face of Messi's negativity, spoke out. Al-Khelaifi has publicly criticized Messi.
In an interview with France's RMC, he said, "I respect Messi. But if anyone speaks badly about PSG after leaving Paris, it's not a good thing. It's not respectful," he said.
He added: "Messi is not a bad person. But I don't like it. I don't think it's just Messi's problem, I think it's everyone's problem. We don't talk behind our backs, we talk in front of our backs, it's not our style to talk behind our backs," he criticized.