Messi seeks PSG glory after achieving 'lifelong dream' at World Cup

By Sports Desk March 06, 2023

Lionel Messi achieved a "lifelong dream" when lifting the World Cup with Argentina but wants further glory after initial struggles at Paris Saint-Germain.

The 35-year-old finally got his hands on the coveted world trophy last December after inspiring Lionel Scaloni's Albiceleste to their first World Cup since 1986.

Messi scored seven times in the 2022 edition, including a double in the dramatic shoot-out victory over France in the final, to go with his three assists.

The former Barcelona man was once again at his brilliant best, firmly securing his place as one of the greatest of all time in footballing history.

"Well, it was really impressive. Everything I experienced was very nice, it's hard to explain, right?," the Argentina star told PSG's media. 

"Because it is a lifelong dream that came true, and we were able to share it with the people of Argentina, the way the people of Argentina celebrated it.

"Honestly, we expected it to be crazy, but not as crazy as it was in reality. It's a moment that will stay with us for the rest of our lives, for us who were lucky enough to play in it, and for all the people of Argentina."

It may have largely been misplaced to expect Messi to struggle at the World Cup but his PSG form heading into the tournament was far from his usual lofty standards.

The global superstar scored just six times from 26 appearances in his debut 2021-22 Ligue 1 campaign in Paris.

While acknowledging the difficulties of settling in the French capital, Messi has since found his feet and scored 13 goals in 21 Ligue 1 appearances this term.

He added: "As I said several times, the first year I had a hard time adapting to Paris for different reasons, but this season I started it differently, with a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of desire, and more comfortable with the club, the city, everything that Paris means. 

"I've really enjoyed the season as I'm feeling now. I think my whole life was like that. The dedication, the work, the effort, and wanting more every day."

"It was my turn to come to a new club with the goal of being able to win the title with Paris, to be able to achieve the great objectives that we set at the beginning of the season.

Christophe Galtier's side are eight points clear at the top-flight summit as they aim to defend their Ligue 1 crown, while a crucial Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich comes on Wednesday.

PSG are 1-0 down ahead of the return leg to the Allianz Arena but Messi is out to make history with the French giants.

"It was my turn to come to a new club with the goal of being able to win the title with Paris," he continued.

"To be able to achieve the great objectives that we set at the beginning of the season, we are looking to do that."

Related items

  • Luton boss Edwards urges Hatters to keep the faith in Premier League relegation scrap Luton boss Edwards urges Hatters to keep the faith in Premier League relegation scrap

    Rob Edwards urged his Luton Town team and the club's supporters to keep the faith as the Hatters aim to stay in the Premier League.

    A 1-1 draw with Everton at home on Friday was not the result Luton truly needed as they look to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

    It moved Luton onto 26 points, level with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, who face already-relegated Sheffield United on Saturday.

    Forest could yet be in to get some of the four points they were deducted for a breach of the Premier League's financial rules back, however, with a decision on their appeal expected to arrive in the coming days.

    Edwards hinted at that uncertainty in his comments after the Everton game, as he asked his team to keep going.

    He said: "We wanted a win. We threw everything at it. We tried. We were the team pushing right until the end.

    "In the end a draw wasn't what we wanted. I'm proud of the players, the club, the supporters. They stayed with us until the end. We tried to do all the right things. We're still in the mix.

    "On another day we could have won the game but we didn't. We've got to keep going. We don't have a crystal ball. It might be four points, five, six. It might be enough. We've got to believe it is, [so] we go again."

    Luton head to West Ham next week, before hosting Fulham on the final day of the season.

    Everton, who took the lead through Dominic Calvert-Lewin's penalty but were pegged back by Elijah Adebayo's strike, were already sure of their Premier League status heading into Friday's match.

    Asked if he had a preference on which team out of Forest, Luton and his former club Burnley avoided the drop, Sean Dyche told reporters: "No one cared about us at Everton when we were down there last season, so they will have to fight it out.

    "We had to fight it out last season and take care of ourselves, all the clubs will have to fight it out.

    "We took care of ourselves again this season with many challenges and I am very proud of that, but it is not for choosing ifs, buts and maybes and sides.

    "I have been down there myself and you have to take care of yourself. No one gives you anything, they have all got to fight it out and see who gets the job done.”

  • Spurs 'need change', says Postecoglou Spurs 'need change', says Postecoglou

    Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has conceded Spurs "need change" after a poor run of form has seen their Champions League hopes fade.

    Spurs sit fifth in the Premier League, but a sorry performance against Chelsea in a 2-0 loss on Thursday left them seven points behind Aston Villa.

    Tottenham have lost their last three matches, conceding nine goals, though those defeats have come against Newcastle United, Arsenal and Chelsea.

    And while Postecoglou has had a promising first season, he stressed the requirement for changes to Spurs' playing squad if they are to settle wholly into his preferred style of play.

    "We need change. Change has to happen," Postecoglou said ahead of Sunday's clash with Liverpool.

    "We're pivoting to a whole different direction, expecting the same people are going to be in on that... it's just not going to happen.

    "We've had two windows and we've had some development of players, for sure, but when I say we've still got a long way to go, that's what I'm talking about.

    "We can't be there yet because it's impossible to say you're going to have drastic change and yet expect everyone to be on that journey... whether it's Liverpool or Arsenal, by the time they win the competition or have success, the team's almost unrecognisable."

    Richarlison, who enjoyed a rich run of form earlier in the campaign but has not scored since netting twice against his former club Everton in February, is one of the players who Spurs will reportedly listen to offers for in the upcoming transfer window.

    After playing Liverpool, Spurs face Burnley and Manchester City before rounding off their campaign against already-relegated Sheffield United.

  • Terzic will rotate with Champions League qualification secured Terzic will rotate with Champions League qualification secured

    Borussia Dortmund can rotate their side for this weekend's game with Augsburg after their win over Paris Saint-Germain in midweek secured Germany a fifth place in next season's Champions League.

    Those are the thoughts of coach Edin Terzic ahead of Saturday's home game.

    Dortmund are fifth in the Bundesliga, and with a 12-point gap over Eintracht Frankfurt and three games remaining, they are guaranteed a place in the Champions League, and can concentrate on the semi-final second leg against PSG on Tuesday, with a 1-0 advantage.

    Terzic told reporters: "Obviously we are thinking about having energy and freshness tomorrow. We will rotate as we have done in the past but we will have a very good team on the pitch tomorrow.

    "We will think about freshness. We will also think about giving chances, as there is no huge pressure tomorrow with our minimum goal secured."

    Forward Sebastien Haller remained on the bench for the home win against PSG on Wednesday, and will be rested against Augsburg, but others who were involved should make an appearance, even if not for the full game.

    "Rotation does not mean someone will not play at all but that you can spilt up participation times," Terzic said.

    "We came through Wednesday's game pretty well. Only Sebastien Haller didn't feel well in the warm-up, we won't risk him for tomorrow but he is fine for next week."

    Despite there being less pressure, Dortmund should still have plenty of motivation against Augsburg, especially after their 4-1 defeat at RB Leipzig last weekend and with just one win in their last four league games.

    "It is a Bundesliga game at home and we have to do a bit better, especially at home. We have one month, and we have to show good performances and tomorrow everyone on the pitch can show how valuable they are for the club," Terzic added.

    "If we have to talk about motivating them to play in front of 81,000 in the Bundesliga against Augsburg then we have a problem."

    Dortmund are on 57 points, six behind Leipzig, while Augsburg are ninth in the standings on 39 points.

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.