_3_
Lionel Messi (38) has not exactly spoken glowingly of Paris Saint-Germain since his departure on a free transfer back in 2023.
Messi joined PSG back in 2021. It was a move that was somewhat forced by the financial context at Barcelona. The World Cup winner has since said that he _“wasn’t happy on a daily basis”_ while in Paris, while former PSG teammates Neymar said that he and Messi went through _“hell”_ at the Ligue 1 club.
_“As I said at the time, I didn’t want to leave to go to Paris. I had to quickly adapt to a new place after so many years at PSG,”_ he added. Messi was also angry about _Les Parisiens’_ handling of his World Cup win, which came against France, in 2022.
_“I was the only player out of the 25_ (World Cup winners) _that wasn’t recognised,”_ noted Messi, before caveating. _“It was understandable. I was in a place that, because of us, wasn’t world champions once again.”_
And his time at PSG ended on a bitter note. With his contract expiring, there were reports of a renewal in the works, but those hopes were dashed when Messi made an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia. He was subsequently fined and temporarily removed from the first-team set-up. Whilst he was reintegrated following a public apology, bridges had been burned, and he left on a free transfer, ultimately joining Inter Miami.
However, speaking to **[Sport](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Lionel-messi-adoucit-ses-propos-sur-son-passage-au-psg-nous-avons-vecu-une-tres-bonne-experience-en-famille/1609121),** Messi has now toned down the criticism. _“It wasn’t hell,”_ said the former Barcelona forward. _“When I said that I didn’t feel good, it is because I wasn’t happy with what I was doing and in terms of what I like to do: playing football, the daily routine, training, matches. But honestly, we had a great family experience. The city is spectacular. We loved it.”_
He continued, _“The truth is that I didn’t feel good on a daily basis in terms of what I love to do_ (playing football)._“_
[GFFN](https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/#google_vignette) | Luke Entwistle