Nasser Al-Khelaifi, chairman of Paris Saint-Germain, has responded to Lionel Messi’s accusation that he was not being recognized by his team.
While still at PSG, the 36-year-old and the Albiceleste defeated France in Qatar to win the 2022 World Cup.
Messi recently acknowledged to Migue Granados on OLGA that he ‘wasn’t pleased’ at Parc des Princes and was upset with his treatment following the World Cup.
“It was understandable,” he said. “We were in a situation where we [Argentina] were world champions and it was our fault that they [France] weren’t champions once again.”
Messi and his PSG colleague Kylian Mbappe both scored five goals in a thrilling final in Qatar, as Argentina prevailed on penalties.
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Messi continued: “I was the only player that wasn’t recognized by his club compared to the other 25 Argentinian players.”
Nasser Al-Khelaifi has now given a different version of events. In quotes carried by Football Espana, he said: “As everyone saw, because we even published a video, we celebrated Messi in training, and we also celebrated him in private.
“But with respect, we are a French club. It was of course sensitive to celebrate at the stadium. We must respect the country he defeated, his teammates on the France team, and our supporters too.”
Messi scored 32 goals in 75 games in the French city, helping the club win back-to-back Ligue 1 crowns.
He was unable to lead PSG into the last 16 of the Champions League, and he moved for MLS club Inter Miami in June.
