Now is the time for official presentations. Lionel Messi, who has just signed a two-year contract with Paris-Saint-Germain (PSG), shared his first impressions of this historic recruitment, Wednesday, August 11, in the morning, during a press conference in Mondovision, in the auditorium of the Parc des Princes. Lionel Messi wanted to express his “Immense happiness” to join PSG: “I am very happy to be here, I have a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of desire. ” Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, President and CEO of PSG, spoke of “A historic day for the club and the football world”, welcoming the arrival of a “Magic player”.
Three days earlier, the striker had delivered a fond farewell to FC Barcelona, the club where he began to write his legend since he was 13 years old. Lionel Messi has also mentioned a departure “Difficult after so many years”, before showing his eagerness to play at PSG. “I want to start training, I really want to meet up with my teammates, to start this new stage”, he commented, wishing to thank the Parisians for their welcome. “My arrival was madness. This welcome is the icing on the cake ”, he confided.
“I want to lift the Champions League again”
The reasons which prompted the managers of the capital club to hire the 34-year-old striker are known: Lionel Messi gives a new dimension to their project, both sporting and economic. On the field side, the presence of the “Pulga” (“the chip”) brings Paris closer to its dream of winning the Champions League. His wealthy Qatari owner – Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) -, in perpetual quest for superstars to develop his brand, hopes the striker, who has already won the Champions League four times, will show him the way.
“I wish I could lift the Champions League again”, confirmed the Argentine during questions to the press. “It’s my goal, to keep growing, to keep winning, that’s why I’m signing here”, he said, welcoming the dynamics of a “Very ambitious club”.
With Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, if the latter were to stay, Lionel Messi will form one of the most formidable attacking trios in history, reminiscent of the “MSN” of his Catalan era, alongside Luis Suarez … and Neymar. Lionel Messi said to himself ” very happy ” to play with this team: “There are great players in all positions, I’m going to play with the best, it’s always beautiful. ”
The debut of the future Parisian number 30 is not expected for Saturday, against Strasbourg in Ligue 1, due to his delay in physical preparation. It could start on August 29 in Reims, or after the international break, against Clermont, on September 12. “I just came back from vacation, I was arrested for over a month. I will probably have to do some preparation. I hope it will be as soon as possible. When the staff decide that it will be the right time, I will come home with a lot of desire “, he reacted. “The work begins now. I’m sure Leo will bring us a lot of trophies ”, for his part commented the president of the club.
According to the French press, PSG offered him a net annual salary of around 40 million euros, along with a significant signing bonus. The player has signed up for two years, with an optional extra season.