Lionel Messi arrived in France to a hero’s welcome, seen as the person who would ship the Champions League for Paris Saint-Germain. Two years on, the Argentinian is about to depart with out having achieved that intention and having solely produced his good finest in flashes. It is troublesome to qualify Messi’s time at PSG as a hit, even when the transfer to the French capital helped set him up for the crowning glory of his profession ultimately yr’s World Cup and did no hurt to the Qatar-owned membership as a sporting model.

At his unveiling in Paris in August 2021, Messi mentioned successful the Champions League for the fifth time in his profession was his “dream” and that he was in “the ideal place” to do it.

That was seductive discuss for PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi, sat subsequent to him, and for followers of the membership who had been determined to see their group win European soccer’s best prize for the primary time.

The earlier season that they had misplaced to Manchester City within the semi-finals, having been overwhelmed by Bayern Munich within the 2020 closing. Messi regarded like the ultimate piece within the jigsaw.

However, PSG have gone backwards with Messi. They had been overwhelmed within the Champions League final 16 by Real Madrid final season with Mauricio Pochettino in cost and suffered the identical destiny this yr at Bayern’s fingers with Christophe Galtier on the bench.

There have to be a motive why Pep Guardiola didn’t push to carry an ageing Messi to City, regardless of his former coach at Barcelona usually describing him as one of the best participant of all time.

Guardiola’s aspect are by means of to this season’s Champions League closing and taking part in at a degree PSG couldn’t presently hope to match, regardless of having Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in the identical aspect.

Having to accommodate these three attacking superstars has weakened PSG general as a group.

Now they have to attempt to construct a extra balanced aspect with out a participant who turns 36 this month and has been costing an estimated annual wage of 30 million euros ($32.1 million) after tax.

From cheers to jeers

By early this yr Messi was being jeered by some supporters on the Parc des Princes.

That was earlier than he skipped coaching for an unauthorised journey to Saudi Arabia to fulfil commitments as a tourism ambassador for the Gulf state.

A one-week suspension adopted, and there was no prospect of Messi signing a brand new deal in Paris after that.

Messi had 32 targets in 74 video games for PSG earlier than Saturday’s closing match this season towards Clermont.

His first season in France was troublesome as he struggled to settle having been uprooted from Barcelona.

He has generally struggled with the bodily nature of the French league, however this season has been extra memorable.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner developed a fantastic understanding with Mbappe, showing to simply accept that the youthful French star was the point of interest of the group.

Messi has scored 16 Ligue 1 targets and arrange 16 targets this season, comfortably essentially the most assists of any participant in France’s high flight.

He leaves having added two Ligue 1 title winner’s medals to his assortment.

Criticism unjustified?

After all he gained at Barcelona, and his World Cup triumph with Argentina, the French league might not imply that a lot to Messi when he appears to be like again on his profession.

As Vincent Duluc famous in France’s main sports activities every day L’Equipe: “PSG have not been better than they were before because of him…and he seemed to have as much desire to play in Ligue 1 as he did to go to the dentist.”

Nevertheless, Messi has nonetheless left his mark on those that have labored with him and are available up towards him.

He was nominated for this season’s French participant of the yr prize, even when he missed out on the award to Mbappe.

“I have had the privilege to coach the best player in the history of football,” mentioned Galtier this week.

“This year he has been an important part of the team. I have never thought that the criticism of him was justified at all, when he is 35 and there is a World Cup in the middle of the season and yet I think he has scored or set up more than 40 goals in all competitions.

“It has been a fantastic privilege to not coach him however to accompany him all through the season.”

Now it is time for Messi and PSG to move on.

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