F1 team warned not to follow Messi’s example

Robin Bairner

• 10 Oct 2024 09:52 BST
• 3 min read

Aston Martin have been warned about becoming the PSG of Formula 1 racing, with the example of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe cited as one not to follow.

Aston Martin have assembled a F1 dream team for the 2026 season, which is seen in motor racing circles as a potential watershed moment for the sport due to the changes in regulations.

The Silverstone-based team have notably raided rivals Red Bull for legendary designer Adrian Newey in what has been hailed as a major coup for the team.

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Rosberg, though, says that there is more to just assembling the best in the world and used PSG’s ‘bling-bling’ era as an example of a high-profile failure in this regard.

"Look at PSG, in soccer," Rosberg is quoted by Sky Sports as having said. "They had Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, all three at the same time. Three of the best soccer players of all time, and all the others were very good as well.

"And they never won the Champions League. Because, of course, it's great to bring the greatest geniuses, the best managers on board.

"However, they still need to then gel, work together optimally, because you're only as good as the whole team is collaboratively."

What happened at PSG?

While it is unclear exactly why PSG failed to ignite under the trio of Messi, Neymar and Mbappe, it is evident that there were ego issues involved. All three were vying to be the team’s superstar and wanted to claim the spotlight.

On top of this, Messi struggled with the unexpected transition from Barcelona to PSG and never captured his best form at Parc des Princes. He admitted that his family struggled to settle in Paris as they had in Catalunya and this had an impact on his professional performance.

Ultimately, all three departed the club and PSG have started a new project that is more focused on signing up-and-coming talent to develop as opposed to spending big on players already at the peak of the game.