Lionel Messi is a few days removed from winning the 2023 Ballon d’Or, the eighth of his career. Nonetheless, being in the French capital resurfaced the topic of his two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi beat Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and his former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappé to lift the award. The 36-year-old spoke with France Football, and one of the questions was about his time with the capital club.
The Argentine appeared to want to put his time with the Ligue 1 side in the rearview mirror while still appreciating the good moments that came in Paris.
“I spent two years during which a lot of things happened, some good and others not so good,” Messi told France Football (h/t Canal Supporters). “But I have already mentioned this period several times. It is now in the past, and I only remember the positive things: with the team, we won two championships in a row. (…) I made very good friends in Paris, and it was by playing there that I managed to become world champion.”
This is likely the last time Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo wins the Ballon d’Or, so the award will be there for the taking for anyone who wants to create a dominant run over these next few years.
All eyes are on Mbappé, who will have an opportunity with UEFA Euro 2024 and the 2024 Paris Olympics to beef up his resume and what he achieves at the club level.
