Lionel Messi Opens Up About Difficult First Season at PSG

Lionel Messi Opens Up About Difficult First Season at PSG

Godwin Nii Armah Tagoe
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:03 PM
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  • Leo Messi has voiced out about adapting to life at Paris Saint-Germain after arriving from Barcelona last summer
  • He endured a tough first season with PSG and despite winning Ligue 1, the Argentine and his teammates crucially failed in the Champions League, knocked out at the last 16 by Real Madrid
  • He is currently on international duty with the Argentina national team ahead of the CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup against Italy next month

Lionel Messi has reflected on his maiden season with French outfit Paris Saint-Germain.

The 34-year-old attacker joined the Ligue 1 champions last summer after bringing an end to his over two-decade relationship with FC Barcelona.

Messi's fairy tale arrival in Paris ended with none of the fanfare romantics fans of the club would have hoped for, finishing the campaign with 11 goals and 14 assists in all competitions for PSG.

Lionel Messi, Opens Up, Difficult, First, Season, PSG
Lionel Messi came under a lot of backlash for what many described as an underwhelming first season with PSG but the former Barcelona icon has vowed to bounce back next year. Photo credit: @Ligue1_ENG
Source: Twitter

Owing to his usually high standards, the Argentina captain suffered harsh criticism for his performances, which was described as sub-par.

But making sense out of his first season with the Parisians, Messi explained how tough it has been for him to acclimatize to life outside his comfort zone - Barcelona.

“At Barcelona, I had it all,” he said. “I was used to having teammates that I had played with for many years. It was hard to leave but I will continue at PSG. This year it has been difficult for me to enjoy myself but I want to do that next season." He told TyC Sports as quoted by Football Espana.
“I had no plans to change anything last summer.
“After the happiness brought about by winning the Copa America I thought that everything would stay the same, but what happened happened. The adaptation of our children to their new life was spectacular but Antonella and I had a harder time. We cried on Thiago and Mateo’s first day of school because we could not understand anything. But they are great.”

Messi makes big promise to PSG fans

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that after an underwhelming debut season, Lionel Messi has sent a message of reassurance to Paris Saint Germain supporters.

Messi has failed to replicate his impeccable form in front of goal since he joined the French champions from Barcelona at the start of the season.

Messi finished the season with a paltry six goals, which is way below the expected high standards that he has set over the years. He, however, assisted 14 times as PSG reclaimed the league title from Lille in a dominant fashion.

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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