Lionel Messi‘s two-year disastrous spell at Paris Saint Germain finally came to an end after the
two parties agreed to part ways after the 2022/23 season.

Lionel Messi joined Paris Saint Germain on 10th August, 2021. In his first season at Paris Saint
Germain, he scored just 6 goals and provided 14 assists in 26 league appearances which is
unlikely of the Argentine. It was the first time since the 2005/06 season that he failed to score
double figures of goals, and with that, he didn’t make the 2021/22 Ballon d’or 30-man shortlist
for the first time since 2005.

On 13th March, 2022, following their UCL round of 16 exit, Lionel
Messi and Neymar were booed by some PSG fans. He had a difficult start to life at France,
although it was his first season at PSG.

Lionel Messi when asked about his difficult first season at Paris, said;

“I think about being able to
reverse the situation, about not having the feeling of having changed clubs and that it didn’t go
well for me. I’m already prepared for what’s to come, I know the club, I know the city, I’m a little
more comfortable with the dressing room, with my teammates and I know it’s going to be
different.”

Lionel Messi’s second season was a good one, with 16 goals and 16 assists, he finished the
season with the highest number of assists in the 2022/23 French Ligue 1 season.

On 2 May, 2023, Messi was suspended for two weeks and fined after taking an unauthorized trip
to Saudi Arabia with his family as part of a promotional commercial agreement. His visit to Saudi
Arabia meant he did not show up to training the previous day following a 3–1 defeat to Lorient.

The next day, on 3 May, it was reported that Messi would leave PSG at the end of the season,
following the expiry of his contract. Afterwards, several PSG supporters demanded his exit from
the club, viewing his absence as evidence of a team not fighting for the shirt, within a context of
perceived disconnect between themselves and the club’s identity.

His spell at Paris Saint Germain was accompanied with boos and unpleasant scenes.
He has become a free agent already and has been linked with Barcelona and Saudi club Al
Hilal.