‘Didn’t respect anyone’: Messi criticised ahead of PSG reunion at Club World Cup

Lionel Messi is set to face his former club Paris Saint-Germain at the ongoing Club World Cup but the Argentina international has been criticised for his time at the French giant.

Undoubtedly one of the greatest football players of all time, Messi spent two seasons at PSG between 2021 and 2023, following his emotional and unexpected departure from Barcelona. The talented playmaker formed a star-studded attacking trio alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe at PSG.

However, things didn’t work out as Messi’s time at the club was overshadowed by underwhelming results in the Champions League.

Upon arriving at MLS, Messi has been vocal about his disappointment with life in the French capital. “I wasn’t happy,” he admitted in an interview before signing for Inter Miami. “I struggled to adapt to daily life, to training, to the matches.”

Lionel Messi endured a difficult spell at Paris Saint-Germain. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Former player and now pundit Jérôme Rothen has now join the list of football lovers to share their thoughts on Messi’s outburst. Speaking on RMC Sport, Rothen dismissed Messi’s complaints.

“Everyone is open to criticism. Even more so when you made a fool of the world at Paris Saint-Germain for two years, even though it was PSG that saved you. First, your salary, because Barcelona kicked you out since they could no longer pay you, and because no club in Europe would allow you to earn so much, while remaining at the highest level to win the World Cup. We clearly understand that this is why you came to Paris.”

“Why complain after the fact? He was treated with respect, lived in a 500-square-metre mansion in Neuilly, his children were in a private school, he had total protection. What kind of hardship did he face in Paris?” Rothen questioned.

“Why do you say that they expelled you and that the club did not respect you? But did you respect the people here? He didn’t respect anyone, least of all the French,” the commentator continued.

The last 16 clash between PSG and Inter Miami is scheduled for Sunday (29th June) at 5pm UK time at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

PSG are currently the best team in Europe and they’ve also shown they are the team to beat at the ongoing Club World Cup.