After explaining why things did not go his way in a poor debut season at Paris Saint-Germain, ex-Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has revealed what his plans are for the 2022/23 campaign.
Messi Has 'No Doubt' Over Ballon D'Or Winner
It was an underwhelming first season in France for the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner despite winning the Ligue 1 title and notching 14 league assists, a sentiment the former Catalan club skipper seems to share.
In a recent interview with Argentine outlet TyC Sports, Messi spoke candidly about his struggles in Paris.
"Everything that happened after the Copa [America], the joy I had after having had a bad time, after having lost finals. The happiness was complete and in the middle the situation (leaving Barca) happened," he said.
"I never imagined I was going to play for a team other than Barcelona.
"I had everything in Barcelona. I went to Barcelona when I was very young. I lived more in Barcelona than in Argentina. The truth is that I had no plans to change anything. Luckily, the adaptation of the kids was good, but for Antonela and for me it was more difficult."
The 34-year-old continued by revealing that testing positive for the coronavirus earlier in the campaign proved another discouraging blow.
"At PSG I started the league late because I arrived late to the club, then I had a blow to my knee that kept me out of action for a while and between one thing and another, I couldn't adapt. I couldn't play three or four games in a row," he added.
Do you know where Messi ranks among the highest-paid players at PSG? Find out below:
"Then I said: 'Well, after this I start a new year, I'm going to arrive with all my energy, I'm going to change, the adaptation is over', and then I tested positive for COVID-19. COVID-19 left a lot of scars in my lungs."
Still determined to be a success at the Parc des Princes, Messi insisted he is now only focused on turning things around for himself in France.
"I'm thinking about being able to reverse this situation (with PSG), about not being left with the sensation of having changed clubs and not having done well," he continued.
Messi's Father Makes 'Request' To Barcelona
"Next season will be different. I know the club, the city, the dressing room. I am ready."
