Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) president Nasser Al-Khelaifi criticized Lionel Messi for not showing “respect” towards the club after his departure last summer. Messi, who had an impressive record of 67 goal contributions in 75 matches during his tenure with PSG, left the Ligue 1 club and later shared less-than-positive remarks about his time in the French capital.
Al-Khelaifi responded to Messi’s criticism in an interview with RMC Sport on Tuesday, stating, “We talk when we are there, not when we are gone. I have great respect for him [Messi], but if someone wants to talk badly about Paris Saint-Germain after [his departure], it’s not good. That’s not respect […] He’s not a bad guy, but I don’t like that. It’s not just for him, but for everyone.”
Following his departure from PSG, Messi joined MLS side Inter Miami and quickly made an impact by helping them secure the 2023 Leagues Cup, marking the first trophy in the club’s history. Currently on offseason break in MLS, Messi is set to face his eternal rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, in a friendly in Riyadh on February 1.
Meanwhile, there are speculations about Messi’s former strike partner Kylian Mbappe possibly leaving PSG, but Al-Khelaifi revealed that there is an unspecified “gentlemen’s agreement” between them.
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