Messi & PSG: Fall of a Dynasty – Drama, Disappointment & Departure

“If something else was needed to be happy, it was finished rounding all the reception, the deal. I am sure we will enjoy this time together”. 32 days ago I had raised the Copa América. A contest during which they talked to Sergio Agüero about the possibility of making an offensive pair in Barcelona. Neither of them knew the bitter directions of fate. They spent several hours of that monologue in Catalonia that went around the world when on August 11, 2021, Lionel Messi began a path that nobody thought officially, but did it with the same joy of his best times. The Messimanía He flooded the city of glamor, but the symbol changed applause and ovations for disapproval in a matter of two years. This Sunday, a mini rematch could be taken because the Inter Miami will look for the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup before Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) by Luis Enrique, who comes from being champion of the UEFA Champions League.

The last image that remains of his passage through France before leaving for Major League Soccer (MLS) It was the coldness of his farewell, but very few will remember the massive reception when everything was rose color. On August 10, 2021, one day before his first press conference, the Money traveled with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzoand his children (Thiago, Mateo and Ciro) to Paris, where he was expected by hundreds of fans In the surroundings of the platform on which his private plane landed, which came out from Barcelona. The emblem wore a white shirt with registration: “This is Paris” (Here is Paris). With the humility that characterizes it, it appeared in one of the windows of the place to thank the signs of love.

It was the strawberry of dessert to one of the most strategic passes markets of the president Nasser al-khelïfi in command of PSG. Brought an archer with a lot of projection (Gianluigi Donnarumma), a flyer of great news in Liverpool (Georginio Wijnaldum), an experience center (Sergio Ramos) and the best player in the world to throw walls with Neymar, Di María y Kylian Mbappé. The new faces arrived with the pass in their power to be directed by Mauricio Pochettino. “I know that 2 or 3 days ago they are on the street, at the airport. It is impressive. I had never lived such a”, Said Messi in his presentation about his first experience outside of Spain. Today, it only remains Givenong of the names cited.

His debut with this shirt was on August 29 during a victory against Reims For the fourth date of Ligue 1. It was one of the 75 games he played on PSG with 32 goals and 24 assists. However, his welcome to Parisian life was not pleasant because The Royal Monceaufive -star hotel in which he stayed with his family, recorded an episode of insecurity in September of that year, when four rooms of the complex were assaulted, according to the British newspaper The Sun. It was a warning that tranquility would be a scarce good in the European country.

During his first season with the multi -champion Enter, Leo He was not in his best physical form because he did not carry out an adequate preseason after arriving in the middle of the competition (the first day of the local league had already been played). Despite this, the Brazilian Leonardoby then sports director, he released a criticism for his absences: “In the last two months he spent more time with his selection than in PSG. On the last date FIFA played three games and now has muscle problems“Even, he said that Mbappé was the” best in the world “when he 10 He came from winning his seventh Golden Ball. They soon chopped the ticket from the leadership and Luis Campos replaced it.

Ligue 1 won in that course failed to cover the painful elimination before Real Madrid In the round of 16 of the Champions League. The lack of reaction from a stunned team after receiving two goals in two minutes also precipitated the end of Pochettino In the bank. The successor, Christophe Galtierhe was far from being able to appease the spirits of a costume that cracked by the cold relationship between Neymar y Mbappé.

The Astro of Argentina sought to mediate without success in a conflict that has already been coming for months. “That damn does not happen to me”, He told him Kiki To your partner Idrissa Gueye About a play in which Ney He chose the staff before the pass. In the midst of its transfer to Al Hilalthe Brazilian made public the tense link with a like In social networks to a publication that said the following: “Last summer Mbappé made clear the PSG that there was no place for him and Neymar on the same squad. Coincident.

One of those who talked about the administration of the egos after bambaline was Ander Herrera And he separated from any conflict to Rosario: “If you have Leoeveryone else is a step back. Even Mbappé? Yes, Leo does not need to speak to be respected. How am I going to raise my voice if he doesn’t. Division between Messi and Mbappé? That is a lie”.

Meanwhile, the bond with the fans began to deteriorate due to this disunity. He and his friend Neymar They did not participate in collective greetings to the ultras at the end of the meetings, except exceptions. In fact, the former Barcelona man was located in the center of criticism for going directly to the locker room after the parties.

At that time, the talks for their renewal began to be a topic of conversation in the Princes Park. His two -year contract came to an end in 2023 and there was an additional extension of one year if both parties agree. Without going any further, in September 2022, The crossbarprogram that is issued by Chain ser From Spain, he had reported that his environment already had the offer on the table to prolong his permanence. The offer is believed that it would have extended until mid -2025. But the talks dilated and, in the middle, the Qatar World. What seemed to be a “mere procedure,” according to the EFE agency, became unknown.

That same country that welcomed you after a breach breastfed Joan Laporta In Barcelona (he said that the renewal was closed, he summoned him to sign, but he could never solve the salary limits of the Culés In the Spain League) he became a victim of his talent. That magnificent performance in the World Cup was crowned with a double in the final against France to keep the trophy so longed for in his career with the Argentine National Team. In the days after the conquest, special receptions were multiplied to each of the heroes Albicelestes in their respective clubs. Even Lyon’s Olympique dedicated a moment to Nicolás Tagliafico. In PSG? It almost followed as if nothing had happened.

The reception on the return to training was highlighted by a ceremony that brought criticism for its austerity: A hall of honor and a statuette. And when going out to play, it was decided not to carry out any tribute for fear of “possible whistlesespecially after the celebrations of the Argentines and the slips of goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez against Kylian Mbappé”, According to local media.

It was only a matter of time for the end of a chronicle announced from that theft at the hotel that used residence. May was the cúlmine point of a broken relationship. Leo He uploaded some photos to his social networks from a family trip to Saudi Arabia, a tour on which the portals RMC Sport, Le Parisien l’Equipe They reported that there would be no authorization from the club authorities.

The second day of May was confirmed a two -week suspension. “Everything has been shuffled by the club so internally It is qualified as a serious mistake”He said RMC Sport. On day 3, the punishment began absenting the practice, while the ultras They self -founded at the PSG headquarters to insult it. During that same day, The fans went to Neymar’s house to ask him to also leave.

On May 5, Lionel Messi was seen in one of the most uncomfortable positions of his career. In front of a camera and suit, he breathed deep and gave a message to all his followers in Instagram: “I wanted to make this video for everything that is happening. First of all, ask for my teammates and the club. I sincerely thought we were going to have free after the game, as it had been happening during the previous weeks”The penalty was raised on May 8 and his return was alone in the Lodges campwhile his teammates rested, after the 1-3 win over the Troyeshe said The Parisian.

June 3, 2023 was the closure of a stage with too many turbulence. The club’s announcement to confirm the end of the contractual relationship left free to choose his destiny to the world champion. The most anticipated word occurred on June 7, when it confirmed a very close future: “I made the decision to go to Miami, I still don’t have a hundred percent closed”.

The striker emerged from Newell’s emigrated to Inter Miami and was releasing the details behind his conflictive departure. “There was a break with much of the PSG fans”, He said in June 2023 and, in his presentation with the GarzasIt was lapidary: “I had two complicated years, we had a bad time and today we are happy here”.

Recently, the captain of the Florida franchise provided more details about those months in France during an interview with Simply football: “We came from two complicated years because we came from living in a way in Barcelona and in Paris the family was fine, but I did not feel comfortable on a day -to -day basis and in training. We wanted to be sure that the family is fine and I enjoy what I like. ”

That frustrated step was already in the past and, at present, the winner of the Leagues Cup and the MLS Supporters’ Shield With the Inter, he remained focused on the maximum challenge of recent years in his career at Club levels. His performance It was vital in the collective aspect to close the Group a undefeated with five points and seal the ticket to the round of 16. This Sunday from 13 (Argentine time) the passage will be played in the Mercedes-Benz stadium in what will be his first time facing a former team.