Lionel Messi admits he had a ‘difficult adaptation’ in France after moving to Paris Saint-Germain.
- 9 months ago
Lionel Messi admits he had a ‘difficult adaptation’ in France after moving to Paris Saint-Germain.
After joining the French club in 2021, Lionel Messi admitted in an interview with beIN Sports that aired this week that he found it difficult to adjust to a new atmosphere.
While playing at PSG, Messi won two league championships. This past season, he had a total of 21 goals and 20 assists throughout all competitions.
His stint in the French capital came to an abrupt end when he was suspended for taking an unapproved trip to Saudi Arabia, for which he later apologized. He was unable to lead the team to Champions League triumph.
Messi said to beIN about his two-year transition to PSG, "The truth is, it was a very difficult adaptation, much more than I expected."
"Despite having relationships with and knowing individuals in the locker room, it was challenging to adjust to the new situation, coming late, and the absence of a preseason.
Well, my entire family and I initially found it very challenging to adjust to the new club, a new style of play, our new teammates, and the city.
Messi stated earlier this month that he will be joining MLS team Inter Miami. He is allegedly planning to make his American debut in July.
The 36-year-old was not always well accepted by French supporters and even booed during some of his final games at Barcelona, where he played for 17 seasons before joining PSG.
“I think that from the beginning, it was something very nice, like the reception, which I said many times,” Messi added.
“Then, people started treating me differently, a part of the public of Paris. I think the vast majority continue to see me and treat me as at the beginning but there was a disconnect with a large part of the Paris fans, which obviously was not my intention, far from it.
“It happened like that as had previously happened with [teammates Kylian] Mbappé and Neymar as well. And I know it’s their way to act but alas. I stay with all the people who respected me, as I’d always respected everyone since I arrived and it’s nothing more than an anecdote.”
After joining the French club in 2021, Lionel Messi admitted in an interview with beIN Sports that aired this week that he found it difficult to adjust to a new atmosphere.
While playing at PSG, Messi won two league championships. This past season, he had a total of 21 goals and 20 assists throughout all competitions.
His stint in the French capital came to an abrupt end when he was suspended for taking an unapproved trip to Saudi Arabia, for which he later apologized. He was unable to lead the team to Champions League triumph.
Messi said to beIN about his two-year transition to PSG, "The truth is, it was a very difficult adaptation, much more than I expected."
"Despite having relationships with and knowing individuals in the locker room, it was challenging to adjust to the new situation, coming late, and the absence of a preseason.
Well, my entire family and I initially found it very challenging to adjust to the new club, a new style of play, our new teammates, and the city.
Messi stated earlier this month that he will be joining MLS team Inter Miami. He is allegedly planning to make his American debut in July.
The 36-year-old was not always well accepted by French supporters and even booed during some of his final games at Barcelona, where he played for 17 seasons before joining PSG.
“I think that from the beginning, it was something very nice, like the reception, which I said many times,” Messi added.
“Then, people started treating me differently, a part of the public of Paris. I think the vast majority continue to see me and treat me as at the beginning but there was a disconnect with a large part of the Paris fans, which obviously was not my intention, far from it.
“It happened like that as had previously happened with [teammates Kylian] Mbappé and Neymar as well. And I know it’s their way to act but alas. I stay with all the people who respected me, as I’d always respected everyone since I arrived and it’s nothing more than an anecdote.”