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Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi reveals the reason why Lionel Messi was not allowed to parade at the World Cup in Parc Des Princes.
The 36-year-old and the Albiceleste defeated France in Qatar to win the 2022 World Cup while still at PSG.
Messi made history in Qatar by becoming the first player to win the World Cup Player of the Tournament twice, twice finishing ahead of former teammate Kylian Mbappe.
The Argentine star was brilliant throughout the tournament, scoring seven goals for his side.
In an interview with Migue Granados on OLGA last year Messi admitted he was ‘not happy’ at the Parc des Princes and appeared disappointed with his treatment after the World Cup.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi reveals the reason why Lionel Messi was not allowed to parade at the World Cup in Parc Des Princes
Messi and the Albiceleste defeated France in Qatar to win the 2022 World Cup while he was still at PSG
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“It was understandable,” he said. “We were in a situation where we (Argentina) became world champions and it was our fault that they (France) didn’t become champions again.”
Both Messi and his former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe played a thrilling final in Qatar, scoring five goals between them as Argentina won on penalties.
Al-Khelaifi has now revealed that he could not let Messi celebrate at the Parc des Princes because Mbappe was on the losing side.
In an interview with RMCTVAl-Khelaifi said: “For me, as I said, if anyone talks about the fact that we didn’t celebrate him enough after he won the World Cup, we are in France and he won against Kylian.
‘We are a French club. I don’t want the entire stadium to be against him either. I think we should respect that.’
In September, Al-Khelaifi gave a different version of events after Messi’s interview on OLGA. In quotes from Football Espana, he said: ‘As everyone saw, we celebrated Messi during training, because we even published a video, and we also celebrated him privately.
‘But with all due respect: we are a French club. It was of course sensitive to celebrate in the stadium. We must respect the country he defeated, his teammates in the French team and also our supporters.”
Messi scored 32 goals in 75 appearances during his time in the French capital, winning back-to-back Ligue 1 titles.
Al-Khelaifi has now revealed that he couldn’t let Messi celebrate at the Parc des Princes because Mbappe was on the losing side
Messi left PSG last summer to join MLS side Inter Miami and has already led his new club to success
However, he was unable to lead PSG past the last 16 of the Champions League and left for MLS side Inter Miami in June.
Messi’s time at the club has not been without controversy, with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner being suspended for two weeks earlier this year after making an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, suggestions of a fractured relationship with fellow strikers Mbappe and Neymar dominated the final months of last season.
He has already led his new club to success in the first Leagues Cup, scoring ten goals in seven games.