- Lionel Messi won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina during his time at PSG
- He left the French capital in June after his contract expired and moved to Inter Miami
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ podcast!
Lionel Messi took aim at Paris Saint-Germain again on Thursday, claiming he was the only player in Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad who was not recognized by his club.
The 36-year-old and the Albiceleste beat France in Qatar last winter and won the 2022 World Cup while he was still at PSG.
However, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s time in Paris came to a bitter end and he left the French champions when his contract expired in the summer to join David Beckham’s Inter Miami in mid-July.
Messi, who has enjoyed his start in Miami, admitted during an interview with Migue Granados on OLGA that his time at PSG did not go according to plan.
“It just happened.” “It wasn’t as expected, but I always say things happen for a reason,” he said. “Although I wasn’t happy there [at PSG]I became world champion there. “Everything happens for a reason, if it had to be that way then…”
Lionel Messi claimed he was the only World Cup winner not recognized by his club
The Argentine won the World Cup during his tumultuous time at Paris Saint-Germain
The Argentine faced then-PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe in the World Cup final but insisted his relationship with the Frenchman was in good shape, despite hinting that their return to domestic football was a bit awkward.
However, Messi took a swipe at PSG by claiming he was the only World Cup winner not to be recognized by his club after returning from the national team.
“Things are going well with Kylian Mbappe, as with everyone,” he added. ‘After [the World Cup] It was understandable, we were in a situation where we [Argentina] were world champions and it was our fault that they were [France and Mbappe] were once again no masters.
“Compared to the other 25 Argentine players, I was the only player who was not recognized by his club.”
During his time in the French capital, Messi scored 32 goals in 75 games, winning two consecutive Ligue 1 titles.
However, he was unable to lead PSG past the round of 16 of the Champions League and moved to MLS club Inter Miami in June.
Messi’s time at the club has not been without controversy, as the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was suspended for two weeks earlier this year after taking an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, evidence of a broken relationship with fellow strikers Mbappe and Neymar dominated the final months of last season.
The 36-year-old met his then PSG team-mate Kylian Mbappe in the World Cup final
Messi has already led the MLS club to silverware in the inaugural Leagues Cup and could help them lift another trophy in the US Open Cup final.
However, he was forced off the pitch during Inter Miami’s 4-0 win over Toronto on Wednesday night as head coach Tata Martino admitted he will now not play in next week’s US Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo.
But despite the fatigue that Martino claimed the star was feeling, Messi insisted when asked by Granados that he had not considered retiring.
“I haven’t thought about it and I don’t want to think about it,” he said. “I just want to keep having fun.” That was the main reason for leaving Europe.
“I am lucky to be able to dedicate myself to something I love.” Although I have responsibilities and goals, I have enjoyed it since I was a child. But after that I don’t know. “I want to stay connected to football, be it as a sports director or something like that.”
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