Barcelona had their “Dream Team” in the 1990s, Real the “Galactic” – in Paris, Lionel Messi has now formed a new super team.
After signing the Argentine, a parallel was drawn to the Madrilenians, who brought some world stars to the Bernabeu Stadium after the turn of the millennium around Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and David Beckham. The French sports newspaper “L’Equipe” summarized: “With Lionel Messi, PSG is entering a new galaxy.”
The storm line with Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe alone promises to be a major nuisance for opposing defensive rows. The chemistry between the Argentine and the Brazilian should be right, as both played together at Barcelona. There the third man in the South American “trident” was called Luis Suarez. Messi, Neymar and Suarez scored 364 goals in three seasons, and in 2015 they won the triple of the league, cup and Champions League for Barca.
It remains to be seen how the French world champion Mbappe will fit in. Ironically, Real Madrid are said to be working on signing the 22-year-old, who will not be available for a transfer this summer. The next goal for PSG is therefore clear: Mbappe should be held to tackle something historical – winning the Champions League for the first time. This is what Messi is aiming for at the end of his career. “I know that my goals and those of PSG are the same,” emphasized the 34-year-old again at his presentation.
PSG boss: “Have the most competitive team in the world”
Former PSG Argentina striker Carlos Bianchi, commenting on L’Equipe, said: “Paris have made big transfers but Messi is outside the norm.” The new number 30 in the squad will break the salary range at PSG with its 35 million euros net, which the six-time world footballer is supposed to earn per year. According to information from “L’Equipe” in the spring, Neymar has so far been ahead with net 2.5 million euros per month. Mbappe followed as number two with 2.1 million, which will increase again if the contract is extended.
In France, it was speculated that PSG might give up the French to refinance Messi’s costs. President Nasser al-Khelaifi said shortly and succinctly on Wednesday: “He is a Paris player.” Mbappe should stay. “He wanted a good team and I think we have the most competitive in the world. So there are no excuses for him. He can’t help but stay,” joked the Qatar.
VIDEO – Messi looks forward to Neymar and Mbappe:
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Money does not seem to matter to owner Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), a company financed by the state of Qatar. When asked how the coup would go hand in hand with UEFA’s financial fair play, Al-Khelaifi waved it off. “We’re looking at financial fair play. Everything will stay within the regulatory framework.” In Spain, however, there was resentment. “The way (UEFA President) Ceferin disregards financial ‘fair play’ guidelines and allows various state clubs or those with ‘petromillionaires’ behind them to completely ignore this issue is shameful,” wrote the sports newspaper “AS” on Tuesday.
PSG wants to save
However, PSG should now be willing to save. According to media reports, the club informed the National Control and Management Department (DNCG) of the French league that it would cut salaries. The club should be willing to give up ten players. Including the Argentine striker Mauro Icardi, whom PSG had only signed for more than 50 million euros last year.
On the expenditure side, the French runners-up – Lille managed a surprise last season – did not spend as much on relievers in the summer. Paris transferred 60 million euros to Real Madrid for right-back Achraf Hakimi and 16 million euros to FC Porto for midfielder Danilo Pereira. The duo Neymar (222 million) and Mbappe (145 million) cost the club transfer fees totaling over 360 million euros a few years ago. The millions are now buried in salaries. Sergio Ramos (before Real), Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool), goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (Milan) and Messi came on a free transfer. According to media reports, Ramos will receive 15 million a year, Donnarumma 10.
With Messi in the team, some observers also ask themselves to what extent so many stars in a selection are beneficial for the team structure. The trainers Unai Emery and Thomas Tuchel failed to force interests into their corset. Mauricio Pochettino should succeed in this. One of his pluses: As an Argentine, he should be able to deal with the many South Americans in the squad. The big goal should connect.
For Messi, PSG is the last chance to win the Champions League for the fifth time. The fans of the Parisians were already celebrating these days as if they had already succeeded.
Text: © LAOLA1.at/APA
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