The manager of Paris Saint Germain, Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that he thought it was a joke when he first heard that Lionel Messi would join the club on a free transfer.
Recall that when Lionel Messi’s contract with FC Barcelona expired on June 30, 2021, the Spanish side failed to extend his contract due to the financial complication the club was battling with.
Hence, he had to end his over 20 years ties with the club to look for a new club side for the first time in his football career.
Amid a couple of suitors who wanted him at their clubs, the 34-year-old Argentine football icon decided to join French Ligue 1 side, PSG on a free transfer on August 10, 2021.
The fact that Messi spent the best of his football career at FC Barcelona where he won 35 major titles including three UEFA Champions League titles wowed most football enthusiasts across the world.
Before now, most pundits believe that the record 6-time Ballon d’Or winner would retire at FC Barcelona, a club he has been with since 2000. But ended up leaving the club when the club could not align with UEFA financial fair play.
In an interview with a Spanish media outlet, El Chiringuito, PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino said the Sporting Director of the club, Leonardo called him to ask whether he wanted Messi and could not believe if the question was real.
The coach said: “Leonardo called me and asked me if I would like Messi. I asked him ‘is that a real question?’ Honestly, I thought it was a joke.
“Of course, yes. After that, things really started. Once the door opened, I think that he decided to come here.”
Since Lionel Messi joined PSG in August, he has played 5 times in all competitions and has scored just a goal.
Lionel Messi is back😍 pic.twitter.com/gRVg6ph9kn
— Ankur (@AnkurMessi_) September 27, 2021
Mauricio Pochettino believes that Mbappe could change his mind over his future at PSG
Kylian Mbappe is not interested in renewing his contract with Paris Saint Germain. He has just a few months to the end of his stay at the club and there is no sign that he could stay beyond June 30, 2022.
But the club’s coach, Mauricio Pochettino believes that the club is still hoping that the French striker would stay at the club beyond this season. He also noted that the France international could change his mind over his desire to leave the club for Real Madrid.
The Spanish club has been Mabppe’s childhood dream. As PSG are trying to keep him in Paris, Real Madrid are making effort to bring him to Madrid.
He said: “Kylian will make the decision that he has to make. The club will do everything possible to keep him. PSG can convince him to stay. He could change his mind.”
🎙️ Mauricio Pochettino: “We hope to be in a better situation to avoid the counter attack and to be able to keep creating chances and be more clinical” 👊 pic.twitter.com/JufOmf8hUO
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) October 14, 2021
