Lionel Messi 'doesn't respect PSG' as president Nasser Al-Khelaifi slams Inter Miami star

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has blasted the club's former player, Lionel Messi, accusing the World Cup winner of showing a lack of respect

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Sport

Mark Whiley Sports Reporter

04:45, 10 Jan 2024Updated 07:02, 10 Jan 2024

Paris Saint Germain's Qatari president Nasser al-Khelaifi speaks during a press conference

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has had some strong words for former player Lionel Messi(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Lionel Messi has been accused of not respecting Paris Saint-Germain by the club’s president.

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The Argentina superstar spent two years in the French capital but despite winning the domestic title, PSG didn’t come close to capturing the Champions League trophy, the long-held ambition of the club’s Qatari owners.

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Towards the end of his time in Paris, he came under fire from a section of the club’s fanbase, who booed him at games. Following his move to Inter Miami, Messi told beIN Sports: "I think in the beginning it was something wonderful. But then some people started to treat me differently, a part of the Paris supporters.

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"There was a fracture with a significant group of the Paris fans, which obviously wasn't my intention, far from it.

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"It happened just as it had happened before with [Kylian] Mbappe, with Neymar. I know that's the way they behave. I'll take away with me the people who respected me, as I always respected everyone since I arrived and that's all."

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Lionel Messi with Nasser Al-Khelaifi following his arrival from Barcelona(Image: PSG via Getty Images)

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In another interview, Messi complained that PSG had not done enough to mark him finally lifting the World Cup in Qatar, even though France were the beaten finalists.

“I was the only player of the [squad] that didn’t get a [club] recognition,” Messi told ESPN Argentina. “It was understandable... because of us [Argentina], they didn’t retain the World Cup."

Lionel Messi left PSG for Inter Miami(Image: Getty Images)

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In light of those comments, president Nasser Al-Khelaifi accused Messi of not showing PSG enough respect, telling RMC Sport this week: "We talk when we are there, not when we are gone. I have great respect for him [Messi] but if someone wants to talk badly about Paris Saint-Germain after [his departure], it’s not good.

“That's not respect. He's not a bad guy, but I don't like that. It's not just for him, but for everyone.”