Former Paris Saint-Germain players like Jérôme Rothen have made their opinions known that Lionel Messi’s time with the French giants should end in June. However, Ludovic Giuly doesn’t believe the 35-year-old must leave.
In an interview with Le Parisien (h/t Paris Fans), the former PSG midfielder stated that the capital club should extend Messi because having a squad with the veteran is better.
“We criticized him a lot, but when we see the World Cup that he succeeded because he had prepared well before, that should convince Paris to extend it,” Giuly told the French media outlet.
“I remind you that we are talking about Lionel Messi, the best player in the world! It proves that it is capable of bringing a lot more if [he] is managed well. I’m not talking about marketing or stuff like that, but when you’re called PSG, it’s better to have Messi in your team than anywhere else.”
Messi provided his late-game magic against Lille last Sunday at the Parc des Princes. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner scored the game-winning free-kick goal in a dramatic contest. Nonetheless, while Giuly would like to see Messi remain in the French capital, he states that the Argentine should see a decrease in minutes and slide more into a role player.
“He [is at] an age where he needs to be managed more and more,” Giuly continued. “If it is to make him play all the matches to please the public and the TVs, that will not work.
“Everything must be specified at the time of signing and it will be necessary to be aware that Leo can no longer play all the matches (…) Look at the boost he has had since becoming [a] world champion. It means that the mind is very important to him.”
As of now, the Argentine media is reporting that Messi is only talking with PSG when it comes to a European club. However, there’s also Inter Miami in the mix and possibly a Saudi Arabian club.
The second-leg contest against Bayern Munich on March 8 at the Allianz Arena will likely play a significant role in whether Messi stays.
