Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has shed light on why Lionel Messi was not allowed to parade the World Cup trophy at Parc des Princes, following Argentina’s triumph in 2022.
In a recent interview with RMC TV, Al-Khelaifi revealed that the decision was driven by a desire to avoid potential fan backlash. Messi’s celebratory moment was curtailed as PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe had been on the losing side against Argentina in the World Cup final.
“For me, like I said, if anyone talks about the fact that we didn’t celebrate him enough after he won the World Cup, we’re in France, and he won against Kylian. We are a French club. I don’t want the whole stadium to be against him either. I think we have to respect that,” stated Al-Khelaifi during the interview.
Messi’s departure from PSG was marked by fan disapproval, with the Argentine icon acknowledging that his presence caused a “rift” among the PSG fanbase. Al-Khelaifi further emphasized that Messi does not “respect” the club and should refrain from commenting on them following his exit.
Looking ahead, Lionel Messi is currently gearing up for his stint in the United States with Inter Miami. The team is scheduled to face FC Dallas in a friendly on January 22nd, followed by participation in the Riyadh Cup in the Middle East. This event will see Messi pitted against his perennial rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Al-Nassr.
The decision to withhold Messi’s World Cup trophy celebration at Parc des Princes, while rooted in diplomatic considerations, adds another chapter to the complex narrative surrounding Messi’s departure from PSG and sets the stage for his future endeavors in the United States and beyond.