Messi would upset the ‘balance’ at PSG, says Arsene Wenger

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:47 CDT
• 6 min read

Arsene Wenger believes Lionel Messi would impact the technical and financial balance at PSG if he were to make the move from Barcelona.

Following Barca’s humiliating exit from the Champions League after a 8-2 defeat by Bayern in the summer, Messi requested to leave the club after becoming disillusioned with results on the pitch as well as the direction the club was going from a business standpoint.

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The Blaugrana refused his request, insisting his sizeable release clause would have to be paid.

Messi eventually agreed to stay at the Camp Nou for at least one more year, though would be allowed to leave for free in the summer of 2021.

For a while, Manchester City appeared to be the front runners for his signature, but in recent weeks it is PSG who have been closely linked.

Speculation gained traction after Messi’s former team-mate, Neymar, revealed his wish to once again play alongside the Argentine next season, though without mentioning where.

Wenger has praised the talents of Messi, but wonders whether his arrival would upset certain balances at the Parisiens.

Messi’s Honours:

Competition	Wins with Barcelona
La Liga	10
Champions League	4
Copa del Rey	6
Supercopa de Espana	8
UEFA Super Cup	3
Club World Cup	3

“Lionel Messi is one of the two best players in the world. Those who will replace Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi are already at PSG,” Wenger told Europe 1, in reference to Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

“After that, it’s a question of balance in the club, a technical balance and a financial balance. Can you keep the balance at PSG by bringing in players like Messi? I’m not sure.”

Wenger reckons PSG should perhaps focus on their central midfield instead.

“PSG have a little less potential because they had, for years, an absolutely flamboyant midfield, which is now a little less creative,” he said.

“I see them a little less dominant and it’s reflected in the standings in Ligue

“They still have exceptional players who can make a difference in key moments, as we saw again at Manchester United.”

After two decades in charge of Arsenal, Wenger is now FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development.