Lionel Messi . INSET: Nasser Al-Khelaifi
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) chairman, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, has refuted Lionel Messi’s claim that he was not recognised by the French club for his World Cup triumph last year.
Messi scored twice in the final in Qatar and converted his spot kick in the penalty shootout as Argentina beat France to claim the third World Cup in the country’s history.
The 36-year-old, who left PSG at the expiry of his contract in June, said: “I was the only player of the 25 that didn’t get a [club] recognition,” in an interview with ESPN’s Migue Granados.
“It was understandable … because of us [Argentina], they [France] didn’t retain the World Cup.”
However, Al-Khelaifi denied Messi’s version of events on Saturday.
“As everyone saw, because we even published a video, we celebrated Messi in training, and we also celebrated him in private,” Al-Khelaifi told reporters.
“But with respect, we are a French club. It was of course sensitive to celebrate at the stadium. We must respect the country he defeated, his teammates on the France team, and our supporters too.”
The Argentina forward joined Inter Miami in MLS in July and lifted his first silverware with his new side, the Leagues Cup in August.