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By ZAC CAMPBELL Published: 20: 38 AEST, 28 June 2025 | Updated: 22: 46 AEST, 28 June 2025 View comments Lionel Messi was claimed to believe that Kylian Mbappe was 'protected' by PSG throughout the Argentine's spell in Paris. A source who alleges to be close to the Argentine said that Messi, 38, found life difficult in Paris because he was used to being 'a God' while at Barcelona. When Messi signed for PSG in 2021, it was viewed as a major coup for the French side in their pursuit of becoming the best team in Europe. He completed a formidable forward line that saw him line up alongside Neymar and Mbappe - only for the trio to struggle together on the pitch. While PSG won the Ligue 1 title during both of Messi's seasons in the French capital, Messi appeared to struggle with the dynamics of the club compared to the superstardom he enjoyed at Barcelona. Now, in an interview with French publication L'Equipe, an individual appeared to lift the lid on why he may have been unhappy at PSG. It has been claimed that Lionel Messi felt that Kylian Mbappe was 'protected' at PSG Messi reportedly found himself in the middle of a feud between Neymar and Mbappe in Paris Mbappe left the French champions last season, bringing an end to an era of superstar signings at the club They said: 'He didn’t have one good moment in Paris. He couldn’t go out. He found himself in the middle of the Neymar-Mbappé rivalry. 'He even felt that the club protected the Frenchman and didn’t even honour his World Cup title. In Barcelona, he was a God. 'He was used to taking his kids to school, the sun… it was a lot of things combined'. One such incident that appeared to spell the end of Messi's brief spell at the Parc des Princes came in May 2023, when he was suspended for two weeks after making an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia. The trip was not sanctioned by then-manager Christophe Galtier and, although Messi was re-integrated following his suspension, he opted to join MLS side Inter Miami at the end of that season. Indeed, neither Mbappe nor Neymar remain at the club, with the Frenchman having joined Real Madrid while the Brazilian returned to boyhood club Santos after struggling for form at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. But PSG dealt with the loss of the trio in spectacular fashion by winning last season's Champions League under Spaniard Luis Enrique. Enrique's side knocked out Arsenal, Aston Villa and Liverpool en route to the trophy as they romped home to victory in the final by beating Inter Milan 5-0. Messi could be set for a reunion with his former club on Sunday, as Inter Miami face PSG in the last-16 of the Club World Cup.
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