Lionel Messi spent two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain that turned sour toward the end of his stint. After a roaring welcome in 2021, those cheers became boos and whistles.
Former Juventus and French player David Trezeguet believes that now Messi is officially gone from France, the country will miss him. Trezeguet voiced his belief that PSG’s decision to let Messi leave as a free agent was a mistake.
“I think that France, in general, today with the time that has passed, is very unhappy that Messi has not continued in this team,” Trezeguet said on Team F (h/t MARCA).
“A guy who gives you stature at all levels, in terms of football, in terms of image, in terms of prestige. France have rarely had a player of this stature.
“Messi’s performance was extraordinary. In the end, statistics are what counts and in the two years he was there, he showed that he was a very important player for Paris Saint-Germain.”
Trezeguet’s comments highlight the sentiment that retaining Messi at PSG could have further elevated the stature of Ligue 1. It’s no secret that the Ligue 1 side is well behind Europe’s other top-four leagues.
While Messi’s departure may leave a void in PSG’s squad and the French league, the focus now shifts to his new chapter in MLS with Inter Miami FC.
It will be interesting to see the numbers regarding ticket sales and television ratings during Messi’s time in Ligue 1 to now that he’s left to continue his career in South Florida.
