In an interview with Amanda Davies, Lionel Messi told CNN that Paris Saint-Germain is the “ideal” place for him to win the UEFA Champions League once again.
Following the end of his 19-year spell at FC Barcelona, the Argentinian said that his departure from the Catalan giants left him “living with a lot of doubt”.
“The truth is, it’s hard to put into words what I’ve had to live through this week,” Messi told Davies.
Messi stressed that both his and his new club’s ambitions are aligned — to win the trophy that has so far eluded PSG and which Messi himself has won four times.
“For me on a personal level, I would love to win another Champions League, as I’ve said in previous years, and I think I’ve come to the ideal place that’s ready for that. We have the same goals. It’s got impressive players, one of the best squads in the world and, hopefully, we can achieve that goal which Paris wants so much, I want so much and hopefully, we can enjoy it with the people of Paris too.”
FULL TRANSCRIPT:
Amanda Davies, CNN: Congratulations, lovely to see you. We have seen you this week go through the whole range of emotions. Can you even begin to sum up the last few days?
Lionel Messi, Paris Saint-Germain: Well, the truth is, it’s hard to put into words what I’ve had to live through this week. It was really difficult what happened with Barcelona, saying farewell after being there my whole life in one place. And after three days without forgetting what happened, everything changed. I was living with a lot of doubt, a lot of nerves, a lot of anticipation that this would happen, and well, a lot of excitement and desire to get started. It was a really special arrival. The welcome from the people who welcomed me, who came out onto the streets. I’m very excited to start this new era that I’m going to live and I’m ready to start my new life here in Paris.
Davies: You have won league titles. You have won Champions League titles, but this is new to you. Are you ready for life as the new guy in the dressing room?
Messi: Yes. Honestly, I’m aware of my background and the objective this club has. Fighting for a while to win a Champions League and it came close these last few years. For me on a personal level, I would love to win another Champions League, as I’ve said in previous years, and I think I’ve come to the ideal place that’s ready for that. We have the same goals. The club has got impressive players, one of the best squads in the world and – God willing – we can achieve that goal, which Paris wants so much. I want so much and hopefully, we can enjoy it with the people of Paris too.
Davies: What is the aim? What is success for you here?
Messi: Well, honestly, I live day today. I think about enjoying myself in the dressing room where there’s a lot of guys I know. I have friends there who are, like I said, among the best in the world. I know them and being able to enjoy playing with them to be able to achieve the goals that the club has, doing it all in a relaxed way and going slowly. I’d love to be able to keep winning titles and to do it here in France, to fight for everything. I think those are the objectives and hopefully, it happens.
Davies: Have you allowed yourself to contemplate the prospect of PSG against Barcelona in the Champions League?
Messi: Well, it could happen, it would be strange for me if it happens, on the one hand, it would be special going back to my home with a different shirt on. But we’ll see what happens in the future, and if it does, we’ll enjoy it as well.
