25 September 2023 , 22:37
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Lionel Messi's ex-Argentina teammate Javier Pastore has taken the side of PSG in a row over how the superstar was treated after winning the World Cup.
The Inter Miami talisman claimed that his former club had failed to give him recognition for his achievements after captaining his country to glory in Qatar. However, a war of words would soon ensue as PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi rejected his recollection of events.
In a wide-ranging interview with Olga, Messi still seemed to harbour some resentment towards his old employers as he reflected on his two years in France. He said: "Even though I wasn't doing well at PSG, I got to be world champion there. Everything happens for a reason. I was the only player from the world champions who didn't have recognition in his club."
Now, former PSG and Argentina star Pastore has waded into the discourse surrounding the megastar's treatment at Parc des Princes. Offering a forthright response to the contentious issue, the midfielder - now of Qatar SC - appeared to take the side of the club in this instance.
Of course, with France having lost the World Cup final to Argentina on penalties, celebrating Messi's win may have proven difficult for many of PSG's supporters. It is also worth noting that PSG did acknowledge the winger's success in Qatar with a guard of honour and a trophy upon his return to training.
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Speaking to RMC Sport, Pastore said: "I didn’t talk about it with him, but that’s normal; it was something difficult to celebrate a world champion in a country that lost the final. It meant a lot for the club not to not do something important so as not to accentuate a bad moment for France and for players from Paris who played for France."
"Afterwards, each player can think what he wants. Honestly, I don’t know everything that happened at PSG in the last two years because I wasn’t there. I wasn’t Messi’s teammate. I don’t know. It’s something between the club and the player."
Former PSG star Javier Pastore admitted that he saw the side of PSG's president (YURI CORTEZ)His view on the subject did appear to reflect that of PSG chief Al-Khelaifi, who had also admitted that a decision was made to respect the supporters following France's loss. Pointing to the need for the club to remain 'sensitive' to its supporters, he defended the decision to keep any celebrations in house.
He told RMC Sport: "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.''