"Messi didn't feel as comfortable as at Barca; next season will be different"

Leo Messi has a Barcelona contract until 2023. Despite speculation, the Argentinian is expected to see out his contract. He is not thinking of leaving the Parc des Princes at the moment. 

After leaving Barca, Messi had to adapt to PSG and it has not been easy for him. He netted 38 goals in his final season at Barca and just nine this term for the French giants. 

Mauricio Pochettino called for respect for Messi. "You can't speak badly about him. It is clear that moving from Barcelona to PSG was a change and he needed adaptation time. Certain circumstances did not allow him to feel as comfortable as at Barcelona, where he had spent 20 years and had been the man to lead the club," he told 'Europe 1'. 

The PSG boss believes that next season we will see a different Messi. "Judging him in this way is unfair. I've no doubt about his quality. Messi has enough talent to do what he must do and he will do that. Next season will be completely different for him. This has been a year for him to learn," he summed up. 

"Messi arrived at a new league, with new teammates... as well as moving to a new city. You have to take all this into account. It's a great change which can affect a player," Pochettino added.

The coach said Messi was at the same level as the great Maradona. "You cannot speak badly about Messi: it's like when I speak about Maradona. I'm not talking about any old player. Messi is at the same level," he said. 

To conclude, he summed up PSG's season. "You have to give the Ligue 1 value. You have to cement the history of the club by winning titles. I arrived last year, the team were third in the table, with lots of problems, with 12 players injured, COVID-19... We didn't win and it was very frustrating. Therefore, you have to given the title it's value, although it's true that we were very disappointed not to win the Champions League," he concluded.