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Why Messi deserves his flowers?
While PSG supporters are notorious for being demanding, a sentiment that was shared by many football legends during the souring of the relationship of Messi and the Boulogne Boys was that of a lack of gratitude. While he arguably did not have any legendary performances during his time with Les Rouges-et-Bleus, many regarded the 36-year-old as the greatest ever player to grace a football pitch long before he laced up for the French juggernauts.
When Pep Guardiola took charge of the Blaugrana in 2008, he sold Ronaldinho and gave the La Masia alumni the iconic No. 10 jersey, and helped morph a world-class teenage talent into a seemingly unstoppable force of nature.
Messi encapsulated the 2010s with dazzling displays domestically and in Europe as he would go on to break all sorts of records during his time at the Camp Nou. He became Barca's all-time top goalscorer, LALIGA's all-time top goalscorer; and holds the records for the most club goals in a calendar year, the most ElClasico goals, the most LALIGA assists, the most European Golden Boots, the most goals in a LALIGA season, and many more.
While he may have the accolades and the statistics to back up his claim to being one of the best-ever footballers, Messi is one of those players you have to watch to genuinely appreciate and acknowledge his genius. So, when PSG fans were giving him slack for underperforming, this perhaps baffled many people, including Messi himself.
After years of adoration in Catalonia, this new criticism may have been something he deemed unbearable. His deal in Paris came to an end in 2022/23 and after an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia, it became apparent he would not renew at the club.
A move back to Barca would've been ideal, but the precarious financial position which ultimately saw him leave the Spanish club in the first place was still prevalent, so that move was out of the question. It left Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal and Inter Miami as the two most likely destinations, and even though the Middle Eastern club reportedly offered the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner a world-record contract worth €500 million (R10.2 billion) a year, the Albiceleste skipper opted to make the move to America and sign with the Herons.
What is next for Messi?
While some may perceive his move to the David Beckham-co-owned side as a way for him to partially retire, the attacker has shown how much of a winner's mind-set he has by propelling his team to the top of the Eastern Conference standings 10 matches into the new MLS season.
Despite missing four domestic games due to a muscular injury, this has not stopped him from having seven goals and three assists in the seven appearances he has made so far this season. Messi won the domestic title in Spain and France, and will undoubtedly be looking to add the United States of America to that list.
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The 2024 Copa America final is also set to be held in Miami, so the Florida-based city could be a special location in his career if he is able to lift the MLS Cup as well as retain Argentina's continental cup title there.
Disclaimer: SNL24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on SNL24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of SNL24.
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