"We celebrated Messi's success with respect, we are a French club"

Messi led Argentina to victory against France in the World Cup final in Qatar last December. In an interview, he reiterated his disappointment with not having received sufficient "recognition" at his former French club Paris Saint-Germain after holding aloft the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

He claimed he was the only one of his Argentine team mates "who got no recognition" from his club. "It was not what I expected but I've always said that things happen for a reason," Messi said of his Paris years, adding he "wasn't well there."

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner had already stated on numerous occasions that he was unhappy at PSG before moving to Florida to play for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi decided to deny his former player's comments and said their success was "celebrated with respect" because they are a French club.

"As everyone saw, because we even published a video, we celebrated Messi in training, and we also celebrated him in private. But with respect, we are a French club. It was of course sensitive to celebrate at the stadium.

"We must respect the country he defeated, his teammates on the France team, and our supporters too," he added.