Lionel Messi took another swipe at Paris Saint-Germain in a recent interview. The 36-year-old notes that he was the only player on the 2022 FIFA World Cup winning squad not to be recognized by his club for his accomplishment.
ESPN FC pundit and Frenchman Frank Leboeuf was confused about why the Argentine wanted PSG to celebrate him at the Parc des Princes. Even Messi recognized in his comment that a public gesture would be awkward, considering Argentina beat France.
“It’s funny because he gives the answer on the comment that he makes,” Leboeuf said on ESPN FC Thursday. “Of course, as an Argentine guy, you know, he’s not going to be welcome if he wins the World Cup against France. Go the other way around.
“[If you] see any player, French player, Mbappe playing in Argentina and winning the World Cup against Argentina, he’s going to be burned alive. So come on, that’s only fair. I don’t even understand why he’s complaining … But what do you want to be honored for? You beat the country that you [were playing] in.”
Furthermore, PSG did recognize Messi’s achievement during a training session, so to say the capital club did nothing isn’t a factual statement. These latest remarks are likely just a petty side of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
The 2022 World Cup winner should put the French club in the past and focus on his future with Inter Miami. Perhaps once time heals all wounds, he can revisit this chapter. All these swipes seem unnecessary.