What will Lionel Messi’s arrival at PSG change? Will it raise the quality of Ligue 1?

While the hearts of Spanish football fans are broken into a million pieces, in France they are jumping for joy as a polished gem has arrived in their top league. We all know his footballing talent. Even the story about the paper napkin he signed his first contract on at Barcelona. But now the situation is different. A long decade has ended and a journey has begun with no end in sight. Just what effect does Lionel Messi’s transfer have on his hometown club in Catalonia? And what do they have to look forward to in Paris?

Right off the bat, we have to start in Spain. It’s hard to think of one good thing to say about the ended collaboration between the Blaugranas and Lionel Messi. At worst, probably only that the management got rid of the high salary. But with all due respect, most of the money came back from the sale of jerseys, shirts and all sorts of things that clubs make money on these days.

LM10 is a brand, a huge piece of history and the personality of a football colossus like FC Barcelona. You can’t find anything better. La Liga has lost another big mover in that competition with the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. The end of a twenty-one year era is over. Goodbye Messi, Iniesto and Carles Puyol. It’s been a beautiful ride.

We now move on 1,038 kilometres. To the land of the Gallic cock. A country that’s been kissed by wine, three musketeers and football experience. It often seems incredible that such a footballing power is still seen as inferior. Yet their domestic Ligue 1 is of such quality. It has produced so many great players in such a long time.

Teams like Monaco, Lille and Lyon, among others. These are very experienced teams and are known company in the Champions League or Europa League. They may not be able to compete with the finances and strength of PSG’s squad, but even so, their quality must not be forgotten. Hopefully, the view of France’s top competition will change and be different after this mega transfer.

If this summer’s transfer window has confirmed anything, it’s clearly shown the direction Paris Saint-Germain want to take. Beyond winning the cup and Ligue 1, the target is set even higher. To the heights of champions. Winning the Champions League is every player’s dream. Especially for a club where it may be the first time a trophy of such origin is on the line.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos, Achraf Hakimi, Georginio Wijnaldum and a few days back Lionel Messi announced. Do you want more proof of that enormous appetite to come out on top of the football sky? Add to that such signings in one period of already crazy times. Hats off to them here as everything has gone perfectly.

Well done to the sporting management who have already created a “Dream Team”. I wouldn’t want to be in the shoes of coach Mauricio Pochettino. The pressure on his person will be even greater than in the previous season. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if winning the Champions League is a must.

Of the five players mentioned, only one was a kauf for a hefty sum of money. The other four signings came to the team “for free”. I’m writing in quotes because the annual salary alone is already quite a gift for PSG’s wallet. The current times and the transfer mindset that the boys from Les Parisiens have come up with will be more evident in future years. Yes, the player will come for free. But let’s cram money into his salary.

As I wrote a few paragraphs up. Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccitini is a global brand. And one of the main players who come to mind when the word “football” is uttered. Anything that goes with his name will go to the loot. So will the social networks of the Paris club. Over 5 million followers have already come in since the transfer was announced and the numbers are still adding up on the official Instagram.

A similar story has been told with jerseys bearing the Argentine striker’s name. Within thirty minutes of the transfer announcement, the option to buy both the home and away jersey with the number 30 disappeared from the offer.

Suddenly, even the actual hateful comments about the living legend disappeared. The striker himself, despite his bitter departure from Barcelona, will confirm his extravagance. It may take a while for the deadly trio of Neymar – Mbappe – Messi to get used to each other. But the goals will keep coming, and that will confirm the fact that Lionel Messi can play not only in Spain.

This year it will be no George Weah, but also an experienced matador from South America. The first namesake is the only one for the red and blue team, also the last winner of the Ballon d’Or in 1995. Even on the continent of Africa, he is the first and last footballer ever to win such an award.

Now there may be a change. After a successful year, winning the Spanish Cup and the Copa América, there is a good chance that there will be two winners in Paris. The rifle from Argentina has a great chance for a defence in the most famous award in world football. Whether he will do as well as George to a successful outcome is a matter of opinion. But the chances are there.

Source: Transfermarkt