The arrival of the player at Paris Saint-Germain was one of the media soap operas of the summer, deciphered this evening in Messi, the legend in Paris on C8.
This summer, the news had the effect of a bombshell around the world. After twenty-one years at FC Barcelona, Lionel Messi left his heart club to come to Paris Saint Germain. It is difficult to know what motivated this decision (the desire to change or the lack of money from the Spanish club to pay him his pharaonic salary), still it is that the day of his departure, the player collapsed in tears in front of reporters.
The Spanish supporters did not hide their sadness either. “It’s an absolute drama for Barcelona. He’s a kid from there and since he’s quite old, everyone thought he would be one of those players who spends their entire career at the same club. It’s a heartbreak “, confides Hervé Mathoux in the documentary. At 13, the Argentinian left his country with his whole family to join FC Barcelona and had never yet succumbed to the sirens of the transfer window.
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A talent in its raw state
Tonight, C8 proposes to discover the unusual course of Lionel Messi with his talent in the raw state, his passion for football and his growth problems but also to better know the man who hides behind the player thanks to the testimonies of his friend of childhood or those who saw him grow up.
The documentary also lifts the veil behind the scenes of this surprise transfer – which would bring the main interested party 41 million euros net of tax and up to 100 million euros gross per year thanks to its sponsors – between his arrival in Paris on a jet with his family, the enthusiasm of French supporters or his first steps with his new teammates.
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“Pure genius”
The film also gives the floor to specialists in the discipline such as Hervé Mathoux, Habib Baye, Laure Boulleau, Luis Fernandez, Raymond Domenech or even Omar Da Fonseca. All bring their point of view and their expertise on this icon of the round ball and on this astonishing transfer window. “When I learned that he was going to land at PSG, I had the impression that it was not really real”, explains Laure Boulleau. Habib Baye is also enthusiastic: “It’s an exceptional event because we are talking about one of the best players of all time.”
Find here all our articles dedicated to Lionel Messi
And for good reason, Lionel Messi can boast an incredible record with 672 goals in 778 games, 35 team trophies and six golden balls. “It is genius in its purest form”, notes Laure Boulleau in the film.
“Messi, the legend in Paris” at 9:15 pm on “C8”
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