Lionel Messi left Barcelona after 21 years at the club last week; the Spanish side could not afford to finalise the five-year contract they had agreed with the 34-year-old; Messi joined PSG on a two-year deal on Tuesday and says Neymar and Mauricio Pochettino were influential in his decision
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner also admitted his former Barcelona team-mate Neymar helped to persuade him to move to PSG when it became clear his time at the Nou Camp was at an end.
But despite the upheaval, the forward says he is now focused on bringing success to the French capital – particularly in the Champions League, which has proved elusive so far.
When asked if PSG – who were runners-up in 2020 – could make the final step, Messi said: “I think this team is already done and ready.
“I just came here to help – I’ll give my best. My goal and my dream is to win this trophy again and I think that Paris is the best place to have a chance to win it again.
Messi’s most recent triumph in the Champions League came in 2015, when a Barcelona team spearheaded by him, Neymar and Luis Suarez beat Juventus in Berlin.
Neymar celebrated his reunion with Messi on social media on Tuesday, and the Argentine admitted the Brazil forward had played an influential role in his decision to move to PSG, as well as his countryman and new manager, Mauricio Pochettino.
“I’ve got some friends here in the dressing room,” Messi said. “When you see the squad you really want to play with them.
“We had contact and Neymar, of course, did a lot and was important,” he said.
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