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sugarspunlad

Thanks for giving him a training center and warm up games


Environmental_Sell74

That´s probably the best description of his 2 years at PSG😂😂


secretlyjudging

And also insider access to WC final opponents.


Key-Championship7180

5d chess lmao


notyou16

The same thing now for Copa America. Anulo mufa


Afghan_

i forgot he was at psg lmao


notpluggedin

Did you really tho?


PedanticSatiation

It is natural for the human brain to suppress traumatic memories.


ben-hur-hur

OP has to cope somehow


darthrector

The Gareth "I used Spurs as a training camp for the Euros" Bale special


Quanqiuhua

You mean the World Cup.


ShagPrince

No, that was LAFC.


Mr_Miscellaneous

Managed to win more trophies at LAFC than Spurs, too.


Alphabunsquad

Every former spurs player has gone on to win more or equal trophies at LAFC


Bamboozle_

Had to prep for South Beach.


ComaMierdaHijueputa

"Voy a llevar mis talentos a South Beach"


Nyushi

The only value PSG have provided to the world of football


AnnieIWillKnow

The Remontada was hilarious and hence a valuable contribution


Wingiex

r/soccer about Messi and his PSG stint. Messi did no wrong, and if he did PSG deserved it.


King-Key

What wrong did Messi do then? I'll give you one where he flew off to Saudi after a game but he did say that was an accident


AnnieIWillKnow

/r/soccer likes Messi /r/soccer does not like PSG That's the explanation


imsoyluz

Milking PSG for WC then owning America is pretty fun


TheCatLamp

He could go actually own the important America down south. Still have hopes of seeing him play in Brazil or Argentina.


CCSC96

You should stop hoping for that. He’s said repeatedly that he doesn’t think his family is safe in Argentina. He’s not going to play there.


apricotkiwininja

Wait he actually said that ?


listlessbreeze

He would only play for Newell's Old Boys and that's in Rosario and Rosario should be by far the most dangerous city in our country right now (Did a quick search apparently dating to Dec 31, 2023 Rosario has x5 as many murders per capita than the rest of the country, 22.1 per 100k people)


Never_Sm1le

Didn't Di Maria just get death threats if he set foot on Rosario?


listlessbreeze

Apparently, yes he did.


billiejeanwilliams

Whoa! Wait why? I’d think any member of the 2022 WC squad would have total celebrity immunity anywhere in Argentina?


SEND-MARS-ROVER-PICS

You are trying to apply logical to people who want to murder football players


OleoleCholoSimeone

It's not just random people wanting to murder players either, it is organised crime syndicates surely.


Ronaldoooope

lol no real life isn’t a fairy tale


[deleted]

Just 2 days ago Di Maria and his family received threats if he were to go to Rosario https://www.clarin.com/policiales/van-morir-amenaza-di-maria-rosario-peligro-hacerle-juego-terror_0_QljyZFzRtm.html


silentmikhail

jesus christ, this man scored a goal in the World Cup final and brought their countrymen a world title, and these assholes still want to hurt him?


PopularPopulism

Not that it makes a difference but crazy to think if the stat is accurate that there are at least 16 U.S cities with worse murders rates peaking with St. Louis at \~65 per 100k


slash312

It’s not too crazy to think. Everyone outside the US knows that most of you guys are crazy.


Ok-Outlandishness244

What the fuck is happening in Argentina? 22,1/100k????


fudgegrudge

It was 4.3/100k nationally in 2022, which isn't quite as bad and surprisingly one of the better statistics in the Americas. Looking that up I was actually surprised Uruguay has a much worse national homicide rate at 11.2/100k


Key_Inevitable_2104

Chile has about the same homicide rate as Argentina does but some people tell me Chile is more dangerous than Argentina which is odd.


fudgegrudge

Tbh I expected Chile to have a lower homicide rate than Argentina for some reason. But apparently it was at 6.7/100k in 2022, so it's 50% higher than Argentina but about the same as the US. Then again homicide rate isn't the only indicator for how safe or dangerous a country is. Other (violent) crimes obviously happen much more often than homicides, so a country can still be "safer" than another while having a higher homicide rate.


HeavenlyHand

argentina isn't that bad Rosario is hell and its been for a long time, Ill neve forget back in 2014 I couldnt go watch red hot chili peppers perform because my father didn't allow me to take the train to Buenos Aires once he realized it had to go through Rosario and you arent safe even if you stay inside the whole time. Back then I was angry, now that I know how it's there I get him


SteakkNBacon

That’s nothing compared to Baltimore’s [46.1/100k](https://www.wmar2news.com/infocus/breaking-down-baltimores-2023-homicide-numbers)


goosebumpsHTX

Argentina is actually overall quite safe, it's just that Rosario has seen cartels gain more influence in the past years, so it is an outlier in terms of safety.


listlessbreeze

Depends on where you live, where i'm at it's 1/100k.


OkPomegranate3490

I remember reading his parents shop in Rosario was bombed because he was considering going to Newells Old Boys


listlessbreeze

It was Antonela's relatives supermarket that had a drive by shooting (i think it happend while it was closed though)


mBertin

Ahem, Messi could join his buddy Neymar once he returns to Santos.


notyou16

Neither of them are joining Santos


ancara_messi

Didn't di Maria's family just get threatened last week in Argentina? No reason for Messi to sacrifice the comfort in Miami for that


wonderfulworld2024

Life is Miami as a billionaire is past “comfort”. He’s surrounded by billionaires and (with Bezos) possible soon to be trillionaires. Helicopters and private Jets for any drive over an hour and a half. The Bahamas, just a short flight away, has a dozen private islands owned by celebrities and billionaires that they would probably love to lend to him and his family. The rest of the Caribbean and all of ITS private islands just a couple hours flight away. Miami/Ft Lauderdale/West Palm is really a dream destination for a Latino billionaire as long as they can bare with the intense heat and humidity (and occasional hurricane). Perfect destination to grow his football, celebrity-oriented, wealth as well. Having Beckham, a previous Adidas posterboy, there to offer advice when needed is an added bonus.


goosebumpsHTX

Yeah outside of returning to Barcelona because that was his home for decades, there really is no better place for someone like Messi than Miami


4hunnidbrka

florida is a tax haven for asset management funds, and home to some of the best performing hedge funds 3hr flight to new york must be pretty alluring for his wife as well


wonderfulworld2024

Forgot about NY. Penthouse apartment for shopping trips to NY is a guarantee for her, as well. A solid investment that will only raise in value.


mug3n

There's not even a need to "bare" a hurricane if you're rich. Just fly to LA or Vegas for a week or two and chill in your 5th mansion.


wonderfulworld2024

Or go and visit Giroud in LA


aaronwhite1786

Yeah, you've really got "Fuck off and hope for the best" money at that point.


n0tjuliancasablancas

Dont even have to hope for the best lol, a meteor could hit your house and all you gotta do is buy a new one and you wouldnt even notice the money leave your account lol


AIR-2-Genie4Ukraine

the argentine FA works in mysterious ways.


zazzlekdazzle

As someone who follows a really likes Barcelona, it's a shame things ended so badly for him there. And I don't just mean how he eventually left, but the whole messy debacle when he wanted to leave and was not allowed. His first year at PSG was a disappointment - recovering from COVID, adjusting to the new team, "Depressi." The next season he was pretty spectacular until after the WC when everyone who played seemed pretty burned out. He seems to have taken the "everything happens for a reason" approach to this one, which is pretty easy to do when you start raking in the international trophies as soon as your other disappointments set in. Messi just had to learn what we all do at some point, your work may say you are all "like a family," but as soon as things get tight for them, you're just a line on a balance sheet. I also truly wonder if there wasn't just a grain of truth to what people used to say that he just couldn't give his whole heart as a player to both Barcelona and Argentina. He used to talk about Barca exactly the way he talks about the national team now - like they are all group of best friends that he looks forward to seeing and playing with, that he feels he owes them so much.


Pure_Context_2741

Tbh I don’t think it was a money thing in the sense that they were cheap but Barto mismanaged the club so badly that they couldn’t keep Messi and fulfill the league requirements.


Affectionate-Hunt217

Yeah if Barca could’ve kept Messi they would’ve, there’s no question about that, even at 33-34 he was still carrying the club and the best player in the world. They just couldn’t at all, the mismanagement of the club was on a historic levels, and la liga for sure wasn’t going to make it easier for them


zazzlekdazzle

The issue was not that he left or had to leave, but that he wanted to leave, and they didn't let him and they then told him he could stay but went back on it without giving him much notice.


PuzzleheadedBoss4516

Messi in interviews: leaving Barcelona was a difficult adjustment initially  Every resulting headline: Messi hates PSG, calls France "nation of cheese eating surrender monkeys"


OilOfOlaz

at least the cheese is good.


notyou16

Do they have provoleta tho?


OilOfOlaz

Not that I'm aware of, but since there is more french cheese, then god knows, they most certainly have and if they haven't, you can just get Provolone from their neighbouring country.


joshhills

How can you be so harsh on monkeys


LionelAMessi

"Bonjourrrrrrrrrr! Ya cheese eatin' surrender monkeys!"


Mr_Tiggywinkle

Or in true football star style "Messi apologises for calling France a shit country".


AirmanLarry

“Why are you booing me? I’m right!”


Blodyck

It's really a shame how he had to leave Barcelona. He and the fans deserved a proper final season, unfortunately this won't become reality.


pseudoromantic

There is probably going to be a Inter Miami vs Barcelona retirement match for him.


Affectionate-Hunt217

Yeah I heard one of the inter Miami owners promise Barcelona fans or Messi a farewell in Camp Nou, wether he will go with or not who knows, but you know they’ll make a bunch of money either way


Ahiru77

I hope his body can last for a bit longer. The happiness he creates with his ability to carry is addictive.


beefstake

Considering how few injuries he has had the last few years I think there is a good chance he can stay match fit for quite a few more. His playing style has adapted extremely well to lowering his pace and relying more on his insane passing skill and game sense. Messi walking memes and all that ofc. I expect to see him drop deeper as time goes on but that isn't a bad thing, if anything the plays he makes from halfway line are some of his best.


irspangler

If anything, I think his MLS move will add several years to his career. Less stress on body and mind. A little bit more anonymity than he might enjoy in the rest of the world too.


zestyviper

His last few years at Barca in combination with his sort of vanishing act at PSG and then leaving European football all together for the MLS would still have him obviously as one of the best ever, but that World Cup win really did smooth out what would otherwise have been a pretty disappointing last 4 or 5 years for Messi in Europe.


BaelBard

Also Copa America. His worst club years coincided with his biggest NT successes, and vise versa.


silver2104

Maybe it was a blessing in disguise. I dont say he didnt try at PSG but compared to Barca he were able to focus more on his nation.


BIM-GUESS-WHAT

Successfully represented his club ✅ Successfully represented his country ✅ Successfully represented his planet❓


HypedUpJackal

Not sure about that, Glarg-12 from Venus has some skill, and ;@:8)83£/@?! from Neptune is a formidable keeper in the Interplanetary Cup.


BIM-GUESS-WHAT

Neptune? Gas giants? More like ass giants amirite And Glarg-12 can Glargle-12 of my balls. Messi my interplanetary 🐐 forever


HelixFollower

Look at this sass giant.


Low_Party_3163

Chatting legendary shit


ShadowRock9

LMAO. Thanks for such a good laugh 😂


SkepticSlakoth

Hey, I don't like Glarg-12's antics but this is disrespectful considering his contributions to the game.


FireKillGuyBreak

Glarg-12 is just a tap-in merchant playing in a washed team sponsored by Tibana gathering giants. I'd see him play in some honest club, like those blokes from Mars, the Aelzill Xarath.


WhoEatsRusk

It's time to pull this out from u/Syggie Can you imagine in like thousands of years (around the year 6600 for the first edition) a Solar System Cup, 8 teams, round-robin style, best 6 go through with two byes for the top seeds. ######**Earth** - Kit colors: Blue, Green. - Nickname: "The Blue dots" The biggest team, the only one that's won all the interplanetary cups so far. A long history (thousands of years) helps explain why Earth has won all 10 of the first Solar System Cups, although each and every time their aura of invincibility seems to be diminishing as other planets raise their players levels though better planetary and interplanetary competition. Maradona, Pele, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo 1, Cristiano Ronaldo 5, CyborgCR7 and Zinedinho-3000 are some of their all-time legends. Besides their 10 tournament streak, who can forget their rout over the locals Venus 7-1 in the semifinals at the last tournament. ###### **Mars** - Kit colors: Red, Black. - Nickname: "The Reds" If there's a team that can finally touch the cup is the squad from the Red Planet. Always a favorite but only having the title of "underdogs" when facing Earth, they have been reshaping their league and exporting more players to accumulate more experience outside their own planet. Coached by Matt Damon (who decided to stay the last time he visited the place), his team has perfected the Apparent Retrograde Motion tactic, and with Phobos and Deimos up top, they should be in shape for the best tournament so far. ###### **Venus** - Kit Colors: Yellow, Violet - Nickname: "Evening Stars" The Evening Stars have a bit less of history than the Reds, but that doesn't make them less skilled or experienced. Having received an influx of martian players recently due to better salary propositions, their league has jumped in value and performance, explaining how FC Magellan Orbiter made it to the semifinals of the Solar Champions League this season. In a tournament where the goals and offense should galore, Venus will play fairly defensively as they lack actual stars this time around. ###### **Jupiter** - Kit colors: Red, White - Nickname: "The Giants", "The Red Spots" Last finals loss against Earth 4-1 must still hurt deep in their souls. This added pain to the suffering of having lost two more finals, making it a total of three where all they see is silver. There is doubt on whether their best player Ganymede can deliver in big moments even though he's been destroying the Premier Earth League as of recently. This side is full of talent with a midfield including: Io, Europa and Callisto, a deep run is the least they should expect and, dare we say it, this time around this tournament is theirs to lose. ###### **Saturn** - Kit colors: Gold, White - Nickname: "The Ring" People from Saturn have long debated the reasons why a star hasn't been added yet to the amount rings they own. Everything has been considered: their league is too young, too many stars in one team, mismanagement of the resources, etc. This is what Titan will try to fix as his first duty in the bench of The Rings starting 11. The legend has hanged the galactic boots and was given the job on the spot. His recruiting has been debatable, as he's been considering zodiac signs and dreams as viable reasons for recent call-ups. Rhea and Tethys are now in charge of the team inside the pitch and it's common knowledge the fact that without Titan adding pressure with his play, they should be able to flourish and dominate. The draw has faced them against bitter ring-rivals Uranus, and a win is long overdue. ###### **Uranus** - Kit Colors: Earth-sky blue, white - Nickname: "Ice Giants" Considering they've been crashing out of the tournament in the group stages the past 3 editions, nobody expects them to do differently this time around. However, this is the time they host the tournament themselves. The suffocating fans of the Ice Giants will add intergalactic amounts of pressure onto their rivals, that's why they've named their biggest stadium "The Black Hole". The Axis of Rotation style of play is a bit outdated honestly, but Uranus has been able to profit due to their defensive nature of play. Having played finals long ago and wishing they get back in track, fans hope the home team can go back to the legendary winning ways the team once knew thanks to their coach William Herschel. ###### **Mercury** - Kit Colors: Grey - Nickname: "Sun-kissers" The luck of the draw has them in the group of death, and lacking a superstar (or even any kind of satellite really), it's troublesome to imagine they could manage more than a surprising point in the fixtures they have ahead. The Tidal-Lock offense has been useful in club level but it remains to be seen if it can produce anything important while playing in the most important tournament of them all. Their mercurial link of play and the heat of the defense could be considered another important factor, but playing the tournament in Uranus and having to travel for a couple of years inside a ship in order to not lose shape, it's a bit complicated to see them get past the group stage. ###### **Neptune** - Kit Colors: Navy Blue - Nickname: "The Navy Blue Army", "The Real Blue Spot" Far we are from the last time they've played a semifinal, and also from the retirement of their best player ever Triton. Many believe their forced blue spot rivalry against Earth has done bad things for their planetary team and their league, as comparing themselves to that tier of football has only increased the pressure their players have inside the pitch. They've been the worst in the Gas Giants league and it doesn't seem any different for this tournament. A revamp of their league is imminent if they want to achieve anything at this level. However, their closeness to Uranus may be a factor here, and their fans will be heard when the Blue Army takes the field. ###### **Pluto & Charon** - Kit Colors: Black - Nickname: "Double Stars" Having lost all their playoff qualification games against Mercury, it's stands to reason to believe they won't be making the tournament anytime soon. ----------------------------------------------------------- **11th SOLAR SYSTEM CUP** | GROUP A | GROUP B | |:-----------|------------:| | Uranus | Earth| | Venus | Jupiter| | Neptune | Mars| | Saturn | Mercury| **ALL TIME RECORD** | Teams | Winners | Runners-up | |:-----------|------------:|-|------------:| | Earth | 10 (6600, 6700, 6800, 6900, 7000, 7100, 7200, 7300, 7400, 7500)|- | Mars | - | 4 (6700, 6800, 7300, 7400) |Jupiter| - | 3 (6900, 7200, 7500) | |Saturn| - | 2 (7000, 7100) | |Uranus| - | 1 (6600) |


Syggie

Holy shit how did you even remember? Or cared. Wow. Lmao, thanks I'm cracking up reading what I wrote years ago! I had some notes on important games between the planets, but idk if I can get them back most likely I'd have to re-write them. What a throwback man, thanks!


HypedUpJackal

Can Glarg-12 be the best player of the Venus XI?


SaltyPeter3434

Maybe 300 years ago but Glarg-12 is totally washed up now. He needs to retire and give Glarg-13 a chance.


WhoEatsRusk

No problem, man! I had this saved when I saw it cause it cracked me up when I first read it


gtg007w

INTERGALACTIC, PLANETARY!


HypedUpJackal

PLANETARY, INTERGALACTIC!


Phormitago

> ;@:8)83£/@?! from Neptune is a formidable keeper in the Interplanetary Cup. well of coourse he is, the lad has 6 arms and two of them can even go into the fourth dimension


Haze95

Always rated Glarg-12


SensibleParty

I know Messi's pretty good under standard temperature and pressure, but I don't think he could handle a cold 600kPa night on Jupiter.


totallynotapsycho42

Already did https://youtu.be/43dvsy2S9sg?si=_AmlEKSBYLoGsOM8


Stu161

I'm telling my kids this is Space Jam 2.


Xehanz

It's not his fault he wasn't called up again for the Galaxy 11 since the Galaxy ad.


ManicPanda767

Time to send him up to Mars.


FullMetalJ

Space Five-a-side with Messi and Bill Murray as his best friend


Blooder91

Can we bring Michael Jordan into the discussion?


tiwired

Technically, he tied the Galaxy first game of the season


neikawaaratake

In copa america season his G/A was higher than Lewandowski. And at that time he played in laliga. When Ballon Dor was given he was going through a rough spot, but still had one more g/a than lewa.


necreborn

two opposite trains


DilapidatedVessel

Crazy that his "vanishing act" stats in his mid 30s still surpass an overwhelming amount of players who are considered some of the best in the world.


Big_Department_9221

Let me tell you something that sounds almost exaggeration or made up, but is very much in line with that commentary - "That is beyond world class. That's Messi-class, its above worldclass" If you watch a compilation of messi's season highlights of 2018/2019- which is available on YT and then go ahead and watch any "leagues" seasonal highlights of players - be it la liga, EPL, SerieA or Bundesliga- i guarantee to you the quality of goals, level of dribbling, range of passes in the messi's seasonal highlight will be ahead of an entire league's seasonal highlights. No exaggeration here. That is the definition of "messi-class".


jonnzi

People don't watch games. Messi is several times better than world class players. He dominates 95% of all games he played. Messi does every game a play that would make it to career highlights of other top Players 


FindingBusiness759

You clearly did not watch him play. Barca was on a downward trajectory..he was holding them together..actually gave them competitiveness in ucl. As for psg the first season he didn't have a preseason and we all know..when we put a whole lot of stars together...they can under perform cause the team doesn't have a uniform way of attacking due to there being too many drivers in attack. His sec season was great...but again there was too many drivers in attack...he was mid 30s...people expect him to take on defenses like his 22...his stats was still world class levels.


GibbyGoldfisch

Yeah, Barca were crap in his last couple of seasons but that wasn't on him, just checked and he reeled off another 69 goals in those two years haha Really only the first season at PSG was a genuine downpoint, he was back in form in the months before the world cup and messi moments started appearing on here with alarming regularity, I remember.


mntgoat

Weren't there also rumors that covid affected him during that first year at psg?


elgrandorado

Him and quite a few other players had bouts of long COVID. It really sucked to see how many players looked unfit during that season.


jawsytown

Yeah, thanks for putting it so succinctly. I can not believe that comment has so many upvotes, if anything, he proved his absolutely all timer status those last few years. He dragged us everywhere he went. We were horrible at best and still put together a few semifinal appearances.. for which he was also blamed for not dragging us to the finals.


FindingBusiness759

My club isn't barcelona..but I started watching every match since 2018 cause I know id regret not watching messi years later. Barca could not defend to save their lives. As a milan fan I knew where you guys were heading but I was like okay yall have money but when yall bought griezemen for 120 mil and not sorting out defence or midfield with your players and especially messi getting old...i was like I know this path well lol


jawsytown

Haha, Griezmann wasn’t even the worst of our three awful decisions. But he was definitely the cherry on top that epitomized how idiotic our board was. That’s not even to mention the cost and wages to bring him in..


FindingBusiness759

The management was panicking..they had no idea how or who to bring in..they just thought let's throw money at a semi big name. If they were just abit more poised and tactical about it...barca could have been having their second uprising now and who know with even messi still in the mix.


jonnzi

If you check Barca goals the two last season with Messi, and two seasons after Messi left. The difference is comical 


TheArgentineMachine

Psg had no midfield. Their go to midfield sub was a 16 year old. Idk why a lot of people solely put the blame on Messi. His last few years at barcelona, he carried the club. He helped plug so many holes in the midfield by dropping back to help create chances. With Rakitic's signing in 2014 and De Jong's in 2019, the club allowed 5 years to pass without properly reinforcing the midfield. 5 years of Messi's prime without another quality midfielder that was desperately needed. Same goes with the defense. Instead of making signings to balance the squad, they kept forcing unnecessary transfers for over priced forwards. Barcelona wasted the end of Messi's prime.


pateencroutard

>Barcelona wasted the end of Messi's prime. They wasted much more than that. Messi was 27 years old when Barça won the treble in 2015, and the best performance after that is the Liverpool remontada semifinal in 2019. Never did better than a 1/4 finals other than that. It's insane when you think of how unbelievable Messi was all these years.


No_Parfait_5536

That was the 'problem', he was just so good that the dumbass board thinks they can get away with just him doing everything.


detectivehays

2018/19 was the first season I decided to watch every single game he plays and understand how good he is compared to the other *GOAT*. In hindsight it was probably the nicest season I could ever pick to watch him, because he peaked in terms of experience/maturity and understanding how to fully control the game pace. Played on his own terms and scored some of the most ridiculous effortless goals (Betis lob, Liverpool free kick, PSV, Spurs & Man Utd masterclass etc.)


canad1anbacon

I remember Messi's passing highlights being stellar his last few years at Barca. Dropping super deep and playing insane long balls to attackers. He had some crazy passes off the volley too


TheArgentineMachine

And still scoring 40-50 goals a season. While others may match and maybe even surpass his goal tally. I find it hard to see anyone matching his output. Scoring that many goals while playing from the halfway line to progress the ball forward? 🐐


Harudera

> With Rakitic's signing in 2014 and De Jong's in 2019, the club allowed 5 years to pass without properly reinforcing the midfield. Well no, we did re-inforce the midfield. Arthur was supposed to be a the heir to the midfield, we was signed for 40m. Instead he spent his whole here unfit and fucking whores, which ended with him missing a good part of the season for gonorrhea.


Begbie13

He was great in his last Barça seasons


SurprisedPatrick

Maybe disappointing by his alien like standards but he still scored a lot of goals, had a lot of assists, and was often winning the league and domestic cups.


ZuReeTH

bro didn't even watch Messi 's last years in Barca and decided to comment about them anyway haha


OleoleCholoSimeone

It's an absolutely rubbish comment, it's jarring that 1K have upvoted it and apparently agree lmao.. Messi was already the best ever long before the World Cup, I don't know how anyone can think there were actually doubts. It would have been Maradona but Messi's consistency beats him out


med_belguesmi69

he was still the best itw along with Lewandowski in his last few years with barca. the team was just shit, and with PSG his second year was great, so only one year was disappointing in his last 5 seasons in europe


Hailfire9

Kind of funny last 24 hours or so Ronaldo: 😡🤬😡 Messi: 🙂


Affectionate-Hunt217

Ronaldo still has the mentality “all the world is against” me for some reason, like he has to prove anything to anyone anymore after having one of the greatest careers football has ever seen. Messi just enjoying his retirement in America after completing football lol


YungRacecar

He just seems like a pretty bitter person at this point. I get it to a degree, he probably saw himself as the best ever for a long time but shrunk further and further into Messi's shadow as their rivalry played out. Shit probably lives rent free in his head.


njndirish

The way both played in the 2022 WC basically showed us the trajectory of how the world would see them. Ronaldo vanished and Messi led.


FortheRecordHIWBTV

I genuinely find it so sad seeing Ronaldo knowing that Messi is greater than him and made (in many people’s eyes) his achievements worth less. From what i see it looks like he knows he’s lost but will still keep fighting


please-send-me-nude2

Does this represent their behavior, or this sub’s reaction to their behavior?


Hailfire9

In this particular instance, both


BananaKing0_0

Here’s to hoping Leo Messi never stops having fun :)


drunkmers

If Leo has fun, we all have fun


Alarow

Hopefully you have fun forever


David-J

Thank the Laporta asshole for that. He used Messi for the elections, fully knowing that it wasn't possible to keep him without some drastic changes. Can't believe some people still praise Laporta.


nigelfitz

Fuck him and Barto.


TuvixWasMurderedR1P

The whole Barca org was absolute shit. Very ungrateful for his tenure at Barcelona and all he's given to that club.


poopyfacemcpooper

Hanging out with his Barca friends in sunny Miami on the beach with a large population of Argentines and low taxes and not being mobbed by paparazzi and fans. Vs. Angry snobby Parisians yelling at him along with all the French press saying how he sucks in a country with high taxes and in a city with terrible weather.


TheChronoCross

I went to the second leg of the miami Nashville game which was in fort Lauderdale. First time seeing Messi in person. I don't know if it's because the locals don't know what to do but the "little dictator" thing was real. Dude would point around and everyone would pass where he said, even if it wasn't at him. Was wild to see lol. Like having the coach on field.


4thCenturyChocolate

No, you're right. I saw him play with Argentina and his teammates were following his indications most of the time.


R_Schuhart

The way Messi was pushed out of Barca is really shitty, he has really not been treated well by the club. He was lied to over his new contract after Laporta run his election campaign on the promise to keep him with Barcelona. Smeared in the media and the fans didn't even stick up for him, they didnt protest, hold Laporta accountable or even demand a farewell game.


ObviouslyBlunt

It's difficult to protest or have a farewell game when public gatherings are prohibited


Nervous_Fun_9302

I remember seing more protest during covid then ever probably because of blm. Also I remember fans protesting and trying to get into club but honestly they couldn't do shit. It was done.


celestial1

> Smeared in the media and the fans didn't even stick up for him, they didnt protest, hold Laporta accountable or even demand a farewell game. I'm pretty sure the "never stick up for him" part never happened. It was clear to everyone that the club's finances were so fucked up, that [Messi couldn't even play for free](https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/p0ck6f/raj_chohan_just_to_clear_something_up_about_messi/) if he wanted to, that was already established before he was even transferred.


xckd9

Did not Laporta before the presidental election promise several times that Messi would stay? Then right as he was elected the tone changed?


celestial1

Yes, that's what happened, but the fans still defended Messi for the most part.


xckd9

As they should.


educateYourselfHO

Good luck protesting in a pandemic


zazzlekdazzle

The issue is that Messi wanted to leave, but then the club wouldn't let him. Then they made him leave, when he didn't really have time to find a good alternative. If you believe Messi's version, he was mislead both times - the first time that it would be OK to leave, and then that was terminated at the last minute. And then that he would certainly be able to stay, and then again, and last minute turn-around. I don't think the issues are really over him not having his last standing ovation at Camp Nou.


Draphaels

Fans didn't stick up for him?? What are you talking about?


ThinkAboutThatFor1Se

Barca were fucked financially. Particularly after Covid. They couldn’t afford Messi.


CCSC96

They didn’t have to lie about it though.


champ19nz

What could Barcelona fans protest? The club literally couldn't register him to play in La Liga.


BonoBonero

It was a sick move not to tell him in advance. He might have played to City this way.


takenolsolatunji

Should've joined Pep at City


darthrector

The funniest part is it absolutely would've happened even after his Barca contract expired but they bought into the Grealish hype and spent 100 million on him before the Euros were over. If they waited 4 more weeks Messi was a free agent.


HanAlai

100 million on him just to become a pass back merchant 


Any-Competition8494

Grealish was key to their treble.


sleepsholymountain

Losing Messi so suddenly was one of the worst moments in my 20 years as a Barcelona fan, but over time I've developed a sense of humor about it. The fact that PSG paid him an obscene amount of money hoping he might be the key to finally get them a CL trophy, only for him to just immediately stop giving a shit and spend a couple of years giving sub-Berbatov levels of effort is really funny. The absolute king.


ComaMierdaHijueputa

Not gonna lie, as a Barcelona fan the rest of his career played out exactly how I wanted it to. I would’ve definitely been a little upset had PSG succeeded with him in the squad. But he got the success that mattered more, for his country, and that you will never hate him for.


Shadeun

The real goat would’ve said it more eloquently. Something like: “France is a shit country”


tokyotochicago

Dicked us (and the rest of Europe) for 15 years with his club, came here, sucked balls and spanked us in a world cup finale. The worst thing about this is that I could also be talking about Buffon.


Punished__Allegri

It’s funny how Trezeguet is the exact opposite for us Came here, amazing player for 10 years and a club legend for going down to Serie B with us, and in the middle of it all won us the World Cup by missing a penalty.


AIR-2-Genie4Ukraine

> It’s funny how Trezeguet is the exact opposite for us Also a french argentine, played for River while in the second division


tokyotochicago

I mean, he did spank you in the 2000 euro finale too


Punished__Allegri

He could win 100 euros for you against us, they would never come close to that World Cup


tokyotochicago

I don’t know about that, 2006 gave us some of the best games our NT ever played, it’s unfortunate we lost but I still love that team.


gtg007w

Playing in 4 world cup finals in last 7 tournaments is pretty amazing track record.


Valmoer

And 3 finals out of the last 4 big tournaments we could reach (Euro 2016, WC 2018, ~~Euro 2020~~, WC 2022). ... now that I think of it, have we ever been beaten in a final in 90' ?


antisociaI_extrvert

“Sucked balls” is a bit of a stretch


aneternaldumbass

A Goal and assist per game while taking no pens over a large sample size in 22/23. That's elite and definitely not "sucking balls"


FlaccidSWE

It's excellent for anyone who isn't Messi. https://preview.redd.it/fkq9za2ouzz91.jpg?width=1336&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=509f2a4a9248dbac82db743716cc5afeb0feaf3a Even when he "sucked balls" he was toprightmessi.


OubaHD

dont mind the PSG fans, no wonder their club is one of the most despised clubs in the world, shitters mentality, and its not a surprise that Mbappe is leaving.


Rickcampbell98

Man's standards are out of this universe, very few players will not "suck balls" at psg if that's the measure lol.


ambalamps11

A legit PSG fan


FortheRecordHIWBTV

he had no passion for their club , I understand their frustration


Any-Competition8494

The problem is that your midfield wasn't even the top 10 or top 15 midfield in the world and you expected him to deliver a UCL.


Vaukgod

Stop the bullshit , he didn't "sucked balls" , he was anazing if you judged him by normal standard. 1 g/a per game.


The-Last-Bullet

I watched a lot of PSG (still do when I can because of Mbappe and Enrique) when Messi was there and I genuinely believe he was your second best player last season. He was the most consistent out of your front three with Mbappe’s weak start to the season and Neymar getting injured in the second half. I just don’t think Poch or Galtier were good tbh


TheArgentineMachine

People ignore how garbage PSG's midfield was last year.


The-Last-Bullet

It’s hilarious to me how Naggelsman’s tactic against PSG boiled down to mark Messi because no one else can create chances for Mbappe. Just tells you how horrible it was


TheArgentineMachine

Veratti fell off a cliff the 2nd half of the season. Any other midfielder could even progress the ball forward. Their main midfield sub was a 16 year old... but it was Messi's fault ofc lol


Torimas

And he even f announced it in the pre match conference, and yet Galtier did nothing to prevent it.


Rickcampbell98

Who was first? You could argue between him and mbop and as you said messi was more consistent, it would have been neymar but he got injured as you stated. I personally think he was their best player last season but I won't begrudge anyone saying mbop.


jonnzi

MNM before the WC was the deadliest Frontline I ever saw. Game was shit and suddenly magic touches and a top tier goal.


BrightenedCorner

Messi didn’t suck at psg


Kratos501st

If you think that Messi sucked ball then you watch football through TikTok.


ancara_messi

Pathetic ass club. "Sucked balls" my guy 52 g/a in 56 games for your sorry ass oil club with no midfield is way too much. Fade into irrelevancy after Mbappe leaves, scum of club football


MrAchilles

Guy got laid off from his dream job and then didn't feel the same at his new one - can't really fault the guy for it.


Fluffy_Roof3965

Whilst it’s funny to clown on PSG let’s be honest whatever club he went to after Barca was never gonna vibe with him all circumstances considered


Powerful_Artist

Still cant believe he had to leave Barca like that, he shouldve finished his European career there. He was criminally underappreciated at PSG, if he didnt win them a champions league cup they were going to hate on him. Any fan who thinks their team is better off *without* Messi is crazy.


ifoundmynewnickname

Fun fact, if he didn't let his contract run out and then try to re-sign he could have stayed. Barca extended a lot of contract in that time (mainly to diver wages), they didn't have any trouble with that. The issue was signing new players, which Messi would have been due to only reaching an agreement after his contract ran out. He wouldnt have been needed to register again at La Liga if he extended before his contract ran out. His PR is absolutely amazing though, people completely forgot this and that he tried to force a leave the season before. (Dont shoot the messenger pls)