The moment that ‘broke’ Lionel Messi’s relationship with PSG | OneFootball

Lionel Messi’s (38) time at Paris Saint-Germain ended in acrimonious circumstances back in 2023. Throughout his final season at the Parc des Princes, there was uncertainty as to whether the Argentinian would renew.

Ultimately, he would not, and beyond Messi’s general unhappiness with daily life in Paris, there is one moment in particular that marked the definitive break in the relationship. The point of no return was reached in May 2023.

Messi, without PSG’s authorisation, missed training to travel to Saudi Arabia to honour a meeting with a sponsor. Les Parisiens, wanting to show that the institution was bigger than any individual, sanctioned the World Cup winner, banning him for two weeks and docking his wages for that period.

Two days later, Messi apologised and asked for forgiveness from his teammates in a video in which his entourage “dressed him up like an idiot”, according to those close to the player, speaking anonymously to L’Équipe. This banishment and the way in which he was reintegrated are the main reasons for the Argentine’s “bitterness” towards his now former club.

That “bitterness” has been evident in Messi’s public comments since his departure from PSG on a free transfer in 2023. Those comments have come as a surprise from those close to him. “It isn’t like him,” a member of his entourage told L’Équipe. He will face his former club when PSG meet Inter Miami in the FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 over the weekend.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle