French Football Legend Explains Why Lionel Messi Is Yet to Find His Feet at PSG

French Football Legend Explains Why Lionel Messi Is Yet to Find His Feet at PSG

Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:57 PM
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  • Thierry Henry has shed light on why Lionel Messi is struggling at new club Paris Saint-Germain after departing Barcelona
  • The seven-time Balon d'Or winner ended an almost two decade long relationship with FC Barcelona in August 2021 to join the French champions
  • He was expected to form a lethal partnership with former Barcelona teammate Neymar and French World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe

Former France and Barcelona striker Thierry Henry has shared his pearl of wisdom on the struggles of Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain.

Since joining Les Parisiens in the summer of last year, the former Barcelona talisman is yet to hit the heights he was accustomed to with the Catalan club.

The Argentine superstar has since come under serious scrutiny, especially in the French media, after failing to meet expectations.

French Football legend Thierry Henry has explained why Messi has struggled to find his feet at PSG. Photo credit: @BBCSport @SPORTSCIRCUSINT
French Football legend Thierry Henry has explained why Messi has struggled to find his feet at PSG. Photo credit: @BBCSport @SPORTSCIRCUSINT
Source: Twitter

Despite his recent performances suggesting he has his mojo back, having contributed to seven goals in his last eight appearances, Messi's time in Paris can be best described as erratic.

The 2021 Copa America gold medalist was part of PSG's side that shockingly fell to a narrow defeat to Champions League hopefuls, OGC Nice which has intensified the criticisms.

But in addressing the reason behind the stop-start form of Messi, former teammate Thierry Henry reckons the Little Magician is going through an 'emotional shock'.

“He left Barcelona crying,” he said, according to Forbes.
“He suffered an emotional shock because he did not expect to have to leave. People say that he has everything in Paris, but it’s not that obvious." Henry added.

Henry, who played with Messi at Barcelonal between 2007 and 2010 used himself as a case study when he joined the Blaugrana from Arsenal 15 years ago.

Henry and Messi sharing a moment together at the Stadio Olimpico in 2009 after defeating Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League finals. Photo credit: @BarcaUniversal
Henry and Messi sharing a moment together at the Stadio Olimpico in 2009 after defeating Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League finals. Photo credit: @BarcaUniversal
Source: Twitter
"When I left Arsenal for Barca, it took me a year to get well. I arrived injured, after a divorce, and I had to learn a new game system.” He concluded.

Messi not happy with criticisms over his form at PSG

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Lionel Messi is reportedly upset about the in the manner which he is being represented by the French media for his performances for Paris Saint Germain.

The 34-year old made a sensational switch to Paris from Barcelona, after the Spanish club failed to get out of a salary cap that crippled their transfer business in the summer of 2021.

According to reports from Le Parisien, quoted by The Sun, Messi has confided in some of the senior figures in the PSG dressing room about the criticism surrounding him since the PSG switch.

Authors
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe photo
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe is a Ligue 1, Bundesliga, and La Liga editor with five-year experience. He previously worked with Sports Corna and 360SportsGH.
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