The Rise and Fall of Lionel Messi at PSG A Look at His Time in France

The signing of Lionel Messi by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was one of the biggest football news stories of 2021. After spending his entire professional career at Barcelona, Messi left the club in the summer of 2021 due to financial constraints, and he was snapped up by the French giants on a free transfer. The expectations were high, and PSG hoped that Messi's arrival would help them win the Champions League for the first time in their history. However, things did not go according to plan, and Messi's time at the club was marred by injuries and poor performances. In this article, we will look at the stages of Messi's experience in France. 

Stage 1: The Initial Excitement 

When Lionel Messi first arrived in Paris, there was a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation among the PSG fans. The club's president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, called it a "dream come true" to have Messi in the team. The Argentine superstar was welcomed with open arms, and he quickly settled into life in the French capital. His debut for PSG was a home game against Reims, and he received a standing ovation from the crowd when he was substituted in the second half. It seemed like the perfect start to a new chapter in Messi's career. 

Stage 2: The Injury Setbacks 

Unfortunately, Messi's time at PSG was plagued by injuries. He suffered a knock in training just a few weeks after his arrival, which ruled him out of several games. He then suffered a knee injury in September that kept him out of action for several weeks. Despite these setbacks, Messi still managed to make an impact on the pitch when he was fit. He scored his first goal for PSG in a 2-0 win over Manchester City in the Champions League, and he provided several assists for his teammates. However, his lack of fitness and match sharpness was evident in some games, and he struggled to make an impact. 

Stage 3: The Tactical Struggles 

Another issue that Messi faced at PSG was the tactical system employed by the coach, Mauricio Pochettino. Pochettino often played Messi in a deeper role than he was used to at Barcelona, which meant that he had to adapt his game. Messi is at his best when he is given the freedom to roam and create chances for himself and his teammates. However, Pochettino's system was more structured, which meant that Messi had to play within a specific framework. This was a challenge for Messi, and he struggled to find his rhythm in some games. 

Stage 4: The Champions League Exit 

The ultimate aim of PSG's signing of Messi was to win the Champions League. However, the team's campaign ended in disappointment when they were knocked out by Manchester City in the semi-finals. Messi was one of the best players on the pitch in the first leg, which PSG won 2-1, but he was unable to make a similar impact in the second leg, which they lost 2-0. The defeat was a bitter blow for PSG, and it meant that they would have to wait at least another year to win their first Champions League. 

Stage 5: The Departure 

Despite the disappointment of the Champions League exit, Messi's time at PSG was not without its highlights. He scored some memorable goals, including a stunning free-kick against Lyon, and he formed a deadly partnership with fellow forwards Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. However, it was clear that Messi was not at his best, and he was unable to lift PSG to the level they had hoped for. As a result, Messi announced that he would not be extending his contract with the club and would be leaving at the end of the season. This news came as a shock