On June 3, at the Parc des Princes, Leo will play his last match in a PSG shirt . After all, the biggest mark the World Cup champion left in Paris is just the image of a dying football genius.

Two years at PSG with Leo ended in defeat, the goals the Argentine superstar created during his time here became meaningless. In 2023, the French giants still have not won the Champions League.

PSG stuck in perception of Messi

Messi’s irresistible charm has captivated every club, with experts describing him as a once-in-a-century player. His illustrious past is filled with countless goals and magical moments on the football field that defy adequate description.

PSG, perhaps swayed by Messi’s reputation, eagerly signed him, believing that his exceptional talent would aid their quest for the UEFA Champions League. However, PSG either misjudged or became confused about Messi’s role within the team. Was he primarily dedicated to marketing, image promotion, or team tactics?

In May 2022, L’Equipe reported that PSG had achieved a record revenue of 700 million euros for the 2021/22 season, largely due to Messi’s significant impact. His presence attracted 11 new sponsorship partners, generating a staggering total revenue of 310 million euros.

The Messi effect immediately bolstered PSG’s brand in the initial days following his arrival. Spanish media highlighted that 150,000 Messi jerseys released in August sold out within seven minutes. Moreover, online orders for jerseys bearing the Argentine superstar’s name skyrocketed.

This commercial success is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the value Messi brings to PSG. Over his two-year tenure, he has undoubtedly contributed to the club’s image promotion beyond measure. Messi has become the Parc des Princes team’s golden goose, continuously delivering immense commercial benefits.

PSG’s off-field success as a money-generating machine is undeniable, positioning them as a formidable competitor among sports organizations. However, on the field, the story takes a different turn. Despite having Messi leading their attack, PSG’s squad quality hasn’t been able to propel them to reach the coveted Champions League trophy.

Undoubtedly, PSG views Messi as a football “god,” expecting him to work magic with a mere wave of his wand. But if that were the case, Barcelona would have been the dominant team in the Champions League for the past decade, and Messi’s collection of championship medals would extend far beyond three.

Messi is undeniably exceptional, even surpassing his peers in many aspects. He possesses qualities that make his teammates envious. However, at the end of the day, Leo is just an individual among the crowd. Winning the Champions League requires more than relying on one person; it demands a collective effort and various factors coming together.

Real Madrid serves as a prime example of this. During their peak, each position was occupied by the best player: Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and Karim Benzema in attack, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro in midfield, and Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Marcelo, and Dani Carvajal in defense. Moreover, they played with discipline and an unwavering desire – qualities that can’t simply be bought with money.

PSG has placed immense expectations on Messi, which is understandable. However, they should have realized that, regardless of Messi’s talent, he still requires support from his teammates – individuals willing to make sacrifices for him. In Paris, has any player boldly declared, “I’m ready to do everything for Messi”? The answer is no.

When Messi joined PSG, he was already 34 years old. Even a genius’ feet cannot withstand the relentless passage of time. The accolades and extravagant praise he received over the past decade have created a perfect façade, disguising the fact that he is still susceptible to limitations. It’s unrealistic to assume that his mere presence on the field would grant PSG an automatic 1-0 lead.

PSG has often fallen into the trap of relying solely on Messi’s perceived greatness, and this has proven to be a fatal mistake. Messi is not “divine” in football. If the Argentine superstar were truly that extraordinary, why didn’t the Champions League organizers simply hand over the trophy to the team with Messi and conclude the tournament instead of extending it for another nine months?

During his two years at PSG, Messi has undoubtedly given his best effort. He consistently shows up at crucial moments and delivers for the team. This sets him apart from Neymar, who has often been plagued by mysterious injuries, particularly in February. However, PSG as a team has been plagued by internal chaos, with a lack of cohesion between the strikers and the midfield.

When Messi played for Barcelona, he had the likes of Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, and Andres Iniesta supporting him from the midfield. At PSG, he finds himself surrounded by unfamiliar players whose quality is often questioned, and more importantly, who lack a shared understanding of how to play alongside Messi.

In the Champions League round of 16 first leg against Bayern Munich at Parc des Princes, players like Carlos Soler, Danilo Pereira, and Marco Verratti played behind Messi. On the trip to Germany, names like Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz, and Nuno Mendes were chosen. It doesn’t require a genius to see that the PSG squad is unbalanced.

If we were to compare the Paris team to a car, the upper part would consist of Rolls-Royce components, while the chassis and tail would be composed of “B-class” brands found in the market. Bringing such a car to the racetrack would inevitably lead to defeat.

What PSG can’t buy with money

12 years have passed since Qatar Sports Investment took over PSG, 1.7 billion euros have also been spent by the owner to buy players. A huge number. This explains why the Manchester United fan group wants the home team to change ownership soon.

77 contracts were signed by PSG on the negotiating table, which are David Beckham, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Messi, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting… The coach seat of the Parc des Princes team also constantly changed hands, from Carlo Ancelotti , Unai Emery, Thomas Tuchel to Christophe Galtier. Many tactics have been changed by PSG.

However, to some extent, discipline and dedication, intense desire are qualities perhaps PSG cannot simply buy. The Paris team owns Messi, but do they actually get the player’s love? And if Barca did not have financial difficulties and then had to accept parting from Leo, would the Argentine superstar go to PSG?

PSG also lacks the will to win against the strongest opponents from Germany, Spain, and England. Money does not create excitement. Only individuals can do that. But in Ligue 1, has the Parc des Princes team ever fallen into a situation that requires the highest bravery? Barely.

Money helps PSG change. Superstars help them become giants. However, it is a very poor team in terms of bravery and does not have a “winning DNA”. PSG also lacks philosophical stability, they should have nurtured that with sustainability on the pitch. A philosophy built on intense desire, the unyielding will of the heart, not on the euro.

From next season, PSG fans will no longer see Messi in the club shirt. They will miss you. However, the failure of Leo at the Parc des Princes will be a bloody lesson for the team’s leadership. It’s time for PSG to build a new project, create a real “Parisian” collective, give opportunities to players “who dedicate themselves to the club”. The person who is willing to jump into the fire for the team, rather than the contract that comes and goes very quickly.