Ex France Star Labels Lionel Messi’s Transfer to PSG a ‘Failure’ After Two Seasons With Ligue 1 Club

• Jerome Rothen believes Lionel Messi’s move to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona has been a failure
• Messi made the shock move to PSG in 2021 after previously spending his entire senior career at Barcelona
• Messi has scored 16 goals and 14 assists from 27 appearances across all competitions this term for PSG

Ex-Paris Saint-Germain star Jerome Rothen has not been impressed by Lionel Messi’s contribution at Parc des Princes since joining the Parisians in 2021 from boyhood club Barcelona.

Messi has failed to reach the heights that saw him win seven Ballon d’Or awards alongside four Champions League trophies during his time in Spain with the Catalan giants.

According to Goal, Rothen has now urged PSG to label Messi’s transfer a failure after he has suggested that the 35-year-old forward is still suffering mentally from his exit at Camp Nou.

In photos: Messi enjoys reunion with Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets on Barcelona return

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"Lionel Messi has been an anomaly since he arrived. It's hard to talk like that about such a player who has marked the history of football so much.

“I'm totally in the direction of the club today. Luis Campos must take responsibility, admit that the arrival of Lionel Messi was not necessarily a good thing and that it was a failure."

Messi has stepped up his performance this season, notching up 16 goals and 14 assists already this campaign.

Xavi opens the door for Messi’s return

Meanwhile, Barcelona coach and former teammate of Lionel Messi has kept the door wide open for the Argentine to return to the club in the near future should he want to, Marca reports.

Messi who spent almost the entirety of his career with Barcelona has been repeatedly linked with a move back to the Blaugrana ever since his move to PSG in the summer of 2021.

Xavi: Barcelona boss wants 'best player in history' to return home

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Xavi made it clear that Messi remains the best in the world and in history and he would always fit in at Barcelona should he decide to return to the La Liga club.

Messi reunites with ex-Barcelona teammates

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Lionel Messi reunited with his former Barcelona teammates, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, on his return to Catalonia.

The 35-year-old arrived in the place he calls 'home' on the back of scoring a last-minute free kick to hand Paris Saint-Germain victory against Lille in a seven-goal thriller.

Upon his arrival in Barcelona, Messi enjoyed his downtime with Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba in what appears to be a night out with their partners.