Former Barcelona manager expresses ‘surprise’ at process through which Lionel Messi left the Catalan club
Messi joined PSG for Barcelona in 2021
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Ronald Koeman voiced his displeasure with Lionel Messi’s departure from Barcelona. Messi left Barcelona for free when Koeman was manager as he joined Paris Saint Germain in the summer of 2021.
Speaking about the Argentine’s departure, Koeman stated: “It was a surprise. They told me during the preseason, ‘Tomorrow, we have a meeting with Messi and his father: we sign and he stays’. The next day, Laporta called me to tell me, ‘I see it as complicated’. And at night he left.” He further emphasized on how instrumental Messi was for the team: “Messi is Barcelona; he did so much for the club that he didn’t deserve to leave like that.”
Lionel Messi left Barcelona in 2021 after the club could not afford to give him a new contract. Barcelona are currently in a financial crisis due to overspending and financial ramifications.
Ronald Koeman was appointed as Barcelona’s manager in 2020. He was appointed following Quique Setien’s sacking after the humiliating 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich. However, he was sacked in late 2021 after Barcelona were knocked out of the Champions League group stage.
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Why PSG wants Lionel Messi to leave in the summer
Lionel Messi could find himself moving away from PSG at the end of the season. The Argentine’s contract expires in June.
The high wages being paid to the veteran players has been an obstruction to PSG when it comes to signing younger players. PSG are planning a major squad overhaul in the summer with key players such as Sergio Ramos and Neymar touted to leave.
PSG has struggled with form in recent times as they keep faltering in the knockout stages of the Champions League. Owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi has made it clear he wants to win the prestigious competition with his France outfit in the near future and has vowed to make the necessary changes to do so.
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Arpan Ghosh
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