Speaking earlier this week, Lionel Messi sparked debate among football fans – especially those that support Paris Saint-Germain – after he claimed that he did not receive any recognition from the French champions after helping Argentina win the World Cup last year.
Messi felt that he was the only player in the Argentine squad that did not receive any kind of recognition from their respective clubs, which infuriated the former Barcelona forward, now at MLS side Inter Miami.
PSG Chairman Nasser al-Khelaifi has now responded to Messi’s claims. As per RMC Sport, he remarked that the club did recognise Messi on multiple occasions.
“As everyone saw, because we even published a video, we celebrated Messi in training, and we also celebrated him in private.
“But with respect, we are a French club. It was of course sensitive to celebrate at the stadium. We must respect the country he defeated, his teammates on the France team, and our supporters too.”
🚨 Nasser Al-Khelaïfi répond à Leo Messi sur le manque de "reconnaissance" après sa victoire en Coupe du monde :
« Comme tout le monde l'a vu, car nous avons même publié une vidéo, nous avons célébré Messi à l'entraînement, et nous l’avons également célébré en privé. »
« Mais…
— Hadrien Grenier (@hadrien_grenier) September 24, 2023
It’s unclear whether Messi will refute al-Khelaifi’s claims, although it’s not a matter that he is likely to take further. The 36-year-old appears keen to move on from his time at PSG.
Would Barca have celebrated it? You bet. Would Inter Miami have celebrated it? You bet.
Triggering Neymar’s release clause as revenge for La Remontada, bidding against Barca for nearly every player they negotiate for, trying to sign their best young players, the Dembele fiasco, and now the Real Madrid “revenge list” should Los Blancos sign Mbappe. Their fans booing Neymar and Messi (and not Mbappe) for their failure to win the CL.
PSG demonstrating (once again) that they just don’t get it.