‘It happened so fast’: Lionel Messi begins new chapter at PSG after Barcelona exit

Lionel Messi is officially a PSG player.

The Argentina captain was unveiled by Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday morning, with the French club having confirmed his arrival on a two-year deal – with the option of a third season – on Tuesday night.

The unveiling saw Messi, 34, hold a press conference alongside PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

The forward spoke of the difficult experience of leaving Barcelona, where he spent the last two decades, but also of his excitement for a new challenge.

Here’s what Messi had to say on a host of topics.

On leaving Barcelona: “My exit from Barca was very hard after so many years. Everything that happened to me in the last week was hard, and fast, too. It was emotional, changed from one day to the next, so many feelings. Nobody can be prepared for that.

“I cannot forget what I lived and experienced in Barcelona, but I am excited about this new stage for my career and my family. As soon as I arrived here I was so happy, so motivated, so excited. It has happened so fast, but I am enjoying it so much.”

On reuniting with Neymar and playing alongside Kylian Mbappe: “[To play with Neymar and Mbappe] is really crazy and I am really happy about that. Sharing the day-to-day life with them and the squad, the team is incredible and I really want to train and compete now because I am going to be playing with the best players.

“[Angel] Di Maria, [Leandro] Parades, I know all of the teammates in the dressing room, we had contact and Neymar of course did a lot and was important in my decision.”

On potentially playing against Barcelona as a PSG player: “I don’t know if we will face Barcelona, it would be very nice to go back, hopefully with fans [in the stadium].

“It would be very strange to play at home, there in Barcelona, in another shirt, but it could happen.”

On when his debut will take place: “I don’t know – I was on holiday [after winning the Copa America with Argentina]... I spoke to the [technical] staff, maybe I need a pre-season.

“I hope I can play as soon as possible... when the staff think I am OK, then I’ll be ready.”

On PSG’s Champions League chances: “This team is ready. There are some new transfers, but they have been close and are ready.

“I’ve been following, and I know Ligue 1 because of my friends. This league has been growing a lot... it’s more competitive, all the teams are getting stronger because they want to beat PSG.”

On the PSG fans: “I am really grateful to the people who gathered in the street. I was in Barcelona when the press told me about that and I have seen things from Spain and people were already out in the streets. It is incredible.

“I want to thank them and I want to see them in the city and the stadium. It will be an incredible year.”

Meanwhile, PSG president Al-Khelaifi said: “I am very happy and proud to present Lionel Messi as a PSG player. It is a historic day for the club and the football world and is a fantastic moment for us.

“It will be very exciting for our fans, and fans worldwide. It is amazing what we have tried to achieve. We have a big ambition, a football project, we are very proud of where we are today.

“There is no secret this agreement is with the best player in the world. Leo, I would like to thank you, wife and father Jorge for the job you have done to make this happen.”