Ego. Paris Saint-Germain’s biggest nemesis. They had spectacular football players in previous seasons (Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani), but failed to win the Champions League. Maybe because of the vanity of individuals – although neither Neymar nor Kylian Mbappe are goody-goodies. This summer, reinforcements arrived, in the form of Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Giorginio Wijnaldum, Achraf Hakimi and, of course, the greatest of all – Lionel Messi.In a great interview for France Football, the first since he arrived in Paris, Messi explains that building team spirit is the key component in the effort for the Saints to finally achieve the most valuable European club trophy. They are equipped with pretty much everything. Except unity. It is yet to be created within the ranks.##NAJAVA_MECA_5881662##The 40-minute conversation with the journalists of the respectable magazine begins with a look back at Messi parting ways with Barcelona after 16 years.”Honestly, I did not expect it to happen. I returned to Barcelona to prepare for the season, since I used all the days off that Koeman gave me. The idea was to sign a contract and immediately make myself available to the coach. I thought that everything had been agreed, that only my signature was missing, however, when I arrived they told me that it was not possible to extend the contract. That changed the plans,” Messi points out.It should be noted that the interview was done in early September, and that only yesterday Barcelona president Joan Laporta said that he hoped until the last minute that Leo would stay in Barcelona and play for free this season!?So the following words of Messi should not be interpreted as a reply of the president of the Catalan club.”It was extremely difficult for me to accept the circumstances. I couldn’t come to terms with the fact that I was leaving home, that my family would have to change their daily routines, the children would have to change their school, and that we would all have to get used to another place.Bartomeu demolished Barca: For 50 per cent of matches played – 11,000,000 euros bonusFor the first time in my career, something like this happened to me. It was even harder due to the fact that I had previously decided to end my career in Barcelona. A lot of things went through my head, I had no choice but to leave.”Barca could not turn the situation to their own favor due to financial constraints.”In the announcement, it was stated that the extension of the contract is not possible. They called me and told me to find another club, because Barça did not have enough funds to renew the contract. From that moment on, I began to consider what to do next. I had to find a new environment to continue my career, fortunately, several clubs contacted me, including PSG, who treated me well from the beginning. They showed that they want me, that they are ready to take care of me. I am grateful to them that I am happy today. They convinced me that I was part of the project and the quality of the playing staff, individuals and the group altogether – all these elements led to an agreement.”##NAJAVA_MECA_5881647##One of the things that tipped the scale was the friendship with Neymar, Di Maria and Paredes…”I arrived at another club during my career and of course it was a little harder in the beginning, however, it helped that I have good friends in Paris. Mbappe? When I arrived, I did not smother him with advice, because I barely knew him. Eventually, he stayed, which is great news. We get along well, because he speaks perfect Spanish.”Candidates for the biggest individual award in the world of football have been known since Friday. Do you consider yourself a favorite for the Ballon d’Or?”No. I don’t feel that way and I never liked to talk about myself, until the results are known. If it happens, it would be great to win the prize once again. It was beautiful that I finally won a trophy with the national team last summer. Of course, I would feel very lucky if I won the Ballon d’Or again. It is extraordinary that I have six of them and that I am the only football player in the world with as many. Seventh would be an incredible achievement.”Ballon d’Or nominees list leaked: Lewa, the Blues quintet and lots of bystanders alongsideIf you voted, who would end up on the podium?”Every time they ask me that, I’m afraid I’ll leave someone out… I would say that Neymar and Mbappe are the top candidates, although Benzema and Lewandowski had great seasons. You can do a lot on an individual level, although in the end it counts whether you have won the Champions League, the European Championship or the Copa America with a club or a national team.”Messi finally managed to conquer South America last summer. After three unsuccessful attempts, he won the Copa America in their greatest rival’s backyard – Brazil. Was it unthinkable to end your national team career without a trophy with the Gauchos?”To be honest – yes. That would be a thorn in my side when considering my career. I would have had a strange feeling if I hadn’t brought a valuable trophy to the country.Brazil continue their perfect streak, Argentina and Uruguay detained to goalless drawsI really wanted to win something important with the selection, when I had already won everything with the club. I just missed this. I knew I had to try again and again. I didn’t give up. I felt it would happen, sooner or later.”Well-known Argentine sports psychologist, Marcelo Roffe, said that by winning the trophy at Maracana, Leo threw a heavy burden off his back.”Of course… I got rid of all that pressure. I won the title after losing three finals. That’s exactly what we needed. Argentina – it’s football. After a long period (previous title won in 1993), we finally succeeded. In the meantime, they criticized us for no reason. A bit unfair to this generation of players. The perception in the public changed the moment we brought the trophy home. Now we can work and play in a much calmer environment, not to mention more relaxed.”##NAJAVA_MECA_5881125##A completely different atmosphere compared to the one at Parc de Princes, where PSG is expected to regain the Ligue 1 title that Lille took away from them last spring. But – more importantly – that the strong investments of Arab owners will result in winning the Champions League.”I think I can do it again with PSG. An exciting challenge. Of course I still want to win before I retire. I hope we can do great things. That is our common goal.”PSG has never won the Champions League -they played one final, and last season they were stopped in the semi-finals. Messi himself was on the roof of Europe for the last time in 2015. Is there time for another ascent to the summit?”Everyone here dreams of the Champions League trophy. For years, the club has been trying to realize those ideas and has come close. And on a personal level, I would like to once again be the best in a competition that is extremely demanding to win. I believe that this group of football players has what it takes to go all the way.”Laporta opens up: I was hoping that Messi would play for free, Koeman remains as coachIs PSG as clear a favorite as part of the public considers you to be?”The spotlight is on us, but we are aware that there are a lot of good teams, like Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid, which always strive for the highest goals, then Inter, Bayern … I don’t know if I forgot anyone. We are all in the same race. PSG has great individuals, but we have to get to know each other well in order to form a team. To win trophies, you need to play as a team. That makes me say that we are still one step behind the mentioned clubs. All of the above have more years of playing together compared to us. However, I am convinced that it will be damn hard to beat us, if we become a team.”Breaking the silence part 2 – Mbappe about Messi, Neymar ‘the bum’, leaving PSG and the national teamIt seems that the biggest opponent of PSG – is PSG. In previous seasons, they failed to balance the quality in the team’s lines (attack far better than defense) and build a collective spirit (frequent quarrels).”Everything is true. If you look at the individuals we have, it can be said that our club is one of the best in the world, but if the teamwork is not good, it will be difficult to achieve our goals. That is also one of our great tasks.”PSG formed a hell of an attacking trio: Messi-Neymar-Mbappe. Many compare it to that of Barcelona: Messi-Neymar-Suarez. What is the difference?”The age, ha-ha-ha… Luis and I were younger when we started playing with Neymar. Today, Kylian is younger than us. In addition, Suarez and Mbappe are different. Luis is a classic numer nine, a natural striker, efficient in the penalty area, used to scoring. Kylian prefers to have the ball in his feet. He is extremely powerful and unrealistically fast. He will destroy you if you leave him some space. They are both spectacular, but their qualities are different.”The 40 seconds conversation between Suarez and KoemanNone of you three are very fond of defensive obligations. How will you cope with that?”A question for the coach. He is responsible for balancing the team, installing the idea of the game and coordinating our movement, so that we can act as a unit. Of course, the three of us will have to be the first line of defense when we don’t have the ball, to make sure to return it to our possession as soon as possible and prevent our opponents from threatening us. That’s why we will try to keep the ball as long as possible.”What is your relationship with Mbappe?”Really good. I like him as a player. It is easy to find a common ground with a quality football player. Kylian speaks perfect Spanish, which makes it easier for us to communicate on the pitch. I just arrived, it’s early for conclusions, but I’m sure it will turn out well.”PSG fans given hope by Mbappe’s mother! She says he might extend his contract the ParisiansReal Madrid wanted to sign him this summer. Were you one of those who persuaded him not to go?”Since I just came, I didn’t even have too much space to talk to him on that topic and tell him what I think. I waited to see what would happen. I am glad that he stayed, he will be useful in our efforts to achieve our goals.”There are a lot of former Real members (Navas, Ramos, Di Maria, Hakimi) in the PSG dressing room. As a former Barca player, isn’t that a bit weird for you?”First and foremost, I’ve never seen myself in any other dressing room. Even less with the mentioned footballers. Our team is spectacular and I am very happy to name such a great player for my teammates. And wonderful people.”For the sake of football – everyone hopes the connection between the superstars of PSG will happen soon. If it does and when it does – rival defenses – run for your lives”.
