This past summer, Lionel Messi departed FC Barcelona, the only club in Europe he’s ever known after the Spanish club could not fit his contract under the La Liga wage cap. After the surprise exit, the 34-year-old would sign with Paris Saint-Germain.
Former Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has questioned the La Liga side’s reasons for letting Messi leave during an interview with Dutch newspaper AD.
Koeman spoke for the first time since being sacked by the Spanish giants in October, stating he was stunned at seeing Ferran Torres join the club for €55 million in January after forcing many players to leave during his tenure, notably Messi.
“It was at the insistence of the club’s hierarchy that I agreed to the departure of certain players to help put the finances in order,” Koeman said.
“But then when you see that they sign someone for €55m shortly after letting Messi go, it makes you wonder if something else was happening. Why did Messi have to leave?”
Messi signed a two-year contract with Les Parisiens, which also has an option for a third year. The former Barcelona player has had his peaks and valleys in his first season; Messi leads Ligue 1 in assists.
Despite not being the goal scorer, he has found the role of facilitator. PSG will hope that the Argentine plays a significant role in a couple of days against Real Madrid.
