Leonardo Reflects on Messi’s Arrival at PSG

Former Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has stated that he does not regret facilitating Lionel Messi’s move to the French club.

Context of the Transfer

Leonardo was responsible for the significant transfer in 2021 when it was announced that Barcelona would not be renewing the Argentine superstar’s contract.

In an interview on RMC, he shared, “Messi wanted to remain at Barcelona, but when it became clear that they couldn’t keep him, PSG was the first option he considered.”

Insights on Messi’s Transition

Leonardo elaborated on the challenges Messi faced during his transition: “There was a lot of confusion. It was tough for him after spending 20 years at the same club before moving. His feelings of discontent can be understood; it’s a natural response.”

Looking back, he acknowledged the troubling circumstances, especially after their elimination from the Champions League by Real Madrid, which added to the difficulties for the player.

Kylian Mbappé’s Situation at PSG

In addition to Messi, Leonardo also expressed his thoughts regarding Kylian Mbappé, who currently plays for Real Madrid. During the same timeframe, he had hoped to see Mbappé depart from PSG.

Leonardo noted, “When he signed his contract extension, there were prerequisites for him to stay that I didn’t agree with. I found myself in a position where I had to make decisions. Between Qatar and myself, there was never any friction.”

He pondered, “Would I have remained if Mbappé had exited? I can’t say for sure, as my mindset varied at different points.”

Leonardo acknowledged that the desire to leave was not motivated by financial reasons. He stated, “He remained because of his connections to Paris, but he indeed wanted to move to Real Madrid. Ultimately, a player should never overshadow the club.”