Lionel Messi is set to face the team that gave him everything — yet he never truly adapted to — the one that was once his house… but never his home: Paris Saint-Germain. For various reasons, the Argentine star never felt comfortable, either on or off the pitch. His time in the French capital is remembered by him as a gray, almost gloomy chapter in an otherwise radiant career.

The reunion with Luis Enrique’s team will be emotional. Messi holds no grudges, but neither does he have a special fondness for the club. Because at PSG, he had it all — except happiness. He never fully adjusted to the change, and this period is seen by some as one of the most lackluster of his career.

How Did Messi End Up in Paris?

It all started with a farewell no one wanted. Barcelona’s financial situation forced them to part ways with their greatest icon, and Paris emerged as a lifeline. The French club offered Messi a deal few could refuse, and he accepted.

In the 2021–22 season, he landed at the Parc des Princes amid camera flashes, flags, and promises of glory. With Neymar and Mbappé as teammates, expectations were sky-high: form the most feared trio on the planet. But reality turned out to be much harsher than expected.

The Hardest Days

Despite the big-money contract, the glamour, and the spotlight, Messi never found happiness in the City of Light. On the pitch, he often seemed off, unmotivated, as if each match was just another obligation. His brilliance — once dazzling at the Camp Nou — became sporadic. And off the field, things weren’t much better. His family also struggled to adapt to life in Paris, and the overall discomfort was clear.

It’s said he would take quick flights back to Barcelona just to have dinner with friends, skip training sessions for commercial commitments, and that everything about his demeanor suggested one thing: he didn’t want to be there. It was the tale of a breakup long foretold — a marriage of convenience that benefited both parties but lacked genuine connection.

What Was Achieved

Ironically, in what many view as the darkest period of his career, Messi still managed to lift silverware with PSG. He won two Ligue 1 titles and a French Super Cup, but the ultimate goal — the Champions League — remained well out of reach.

The Exit

When the contract ended, there weren’t even talks of renewal. The club didn’t push to keep him, and Messi had no interest in staying. The goodbye was quiet, like that of two people who knew they simply weren’t meant for each other. The clean break was best for everyone.

Now, two years later, fate brings him back face to face with Paris Saint-Germain — not as a teammate, but as a rival. And while he holds no animosity, it’s clear that nothing would please the Argentine more than eliminating the UEFA champions from the Club World Cup. But for that to happen, Leo will need to show much more than he has so far in this FIFA tournament.