By John Essien
Lionel Messi will not leave Paris Saint-Germain as he hopes to enjoy a more productive season at the Pac de princes in 2022-23 after finding it difficult during his first campaign at the club.
The 34-year-old made a shocking exit from Barcelona on a free transfer last summer due to the Catalan outfit’s financial problems, with PSG ultimately signing him on a two-year deal.
The Argentina international has confirmed that he will be remaining with PSG this summer despite talk of a potential return to Barcelona, and he is confident of being “way better” next term.
“Next season will be way better for me with Paris Saint-Germain, I’m sure. It was not easy after that crazy summer,” Messi told TyC Sports.
“It was really difficult to understand what happened, I wasn’t expecting to leave Barcelona – it was a shock. I had everything in Barcelona. I went to Barcelona when I was very young. I lived more in Barcelona than in Argentina. The truth is that I had no plans to change anything.
“Luckily the adaptation of the kids was good, but for Antonela and for me it was more difficult.”
Messi also had his say on the reaction of the PSG fans in the latter stages of the season, with a section of supporters whistling the players during certain matches.
“It was new for me, it’s a different situation. It had never happened to me in Barcelona but quite the opposite. The situation of the people and the anger for the players we had, for the team we were and because another year [went without a Champions League title], the anger is understandable,” he added.
“The Real Madrid thing killed us. To me, to the entire dressing room in general, to all of Paris.”
Messi ended the 2021-22 campaign with 11 goals and 14 assists in 34 appearances in all competitions, but he only found the back of the net on six occasions in Ligue 1.
During his time at Camp Nou, Messi scored 672 goals and registered 302 assists in 777 appearances for Barcelona before shocking the world of football by leaving on a free transfer.
