Lionel Messi’s turbulent spell with Paris Saint-Germain still raises eyebrows as the Inter Miami star prepares for an emotional clash against his old club in the FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 in Atlanta this Sunday. While fans look forward to seeing Messi face PSG under the leadership of Luis Enrique — his former Barcelona boss — the backstory behind Messi’s exit from the French side remains a point of contention.
During Messi’s final season with PSG in 2023, the Argentine World Cup hero endured an unexpected fallout that ended with him being booed multiple times by the home crowd. The situation worsened when Messi travelled to Saudi Arabia for a sponsor engagement without securing PSG’s approval. This unsanctioned trip led to disciplinary action — the club suspended Messi for two weeks and withheld his pay, keen to assert that no individual player was bigger than the club.
Although Messi issued a public apology to his teammates, insiders claim he was deeply hurt by the club’s handling of the situation and the manner in which he was reintegrated into the squad. According to reports from L’Equipe, the apology video even sparked controversy due to its awkward presentation, further souring his bond with the PSG hierarchy.
Despite the rocky exit, Messi will reunite with manager Luis Enrique — the same coach under whom Messi thrived at Barcelona alongside Luis Suarez and Neymar, forming one of football’s deadliest attacking trios. That golden era saw them combine for 364 goals and 173 assists, winning two La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey trophies and a Champions League crown.
Looking ahead to the high-stakes fixture, Suarez reflected on Enrique’s impact, noting how the coach sharpened his competitive edge. Inter Miami enter the tie as underdogs against PSG’s star-studded squad, which has maintained Champions League ambitions under Enrique’s stewardship.
While both sides will aim to avoid controversy on the pitch, fans will surely have this dramatic backstory in mind as Messi takes on the club that once banished him under such bitter circumstances.
