Accompanied by a perfectly staged media show, Paris Saint-Germain has announced the change of soccer superstar Lionel Messi.
The fans in Paris freaked out on Tuesday evening, and the Argentine was officially introduced on Wednesday.
The international press writes:
Spain
Mundo Deportivo:
“Leo arrived in Paris smiling. He was wearing a white shirt that already had PSG's battle cry on it, a first stab that hurt his family. The one who cried bitterly on Sunday because he couldn't stay with Barça had already turned the page. (...) Inside, Leo is sure to continue to be sad. But he can't stand in the corner and cry because of his wife and children. It's time to fight again and at PSG he meets friends and an elite team. "
Sport:
“Messi is already history for Barça.
The most beautiful story that has ever been told.
(...) Paris is a wonderful city.
And at PSG he will meet his friend Neymar again.
But it won't be the same.
He will be able to score hundreds of goals.
He can win the Champions League again, but he'll do it with a broken heart. "
AS:
“Messi left and it's frustrating that PSG can have him and Barça can't.
And Neymar, Mbappé, Sergio Ramos, Donnarumma, Achraf.
The way in which (UEFA President Aleksander) Ceferin disregards financial 'fair play' guidelines and allows various state clubs or those with 'petromillionaires' behind them to completely ignore this issue is shameful. "
El País:
“Leo Messi has been a nostalgic player for a number of years.
One of those men who in their thirties knows that they can never get better than they already were.
One of those who understand at a young age that the best is suddenly over. "
Marca:
“Messi is leading the French Revolution.
He's now a PSG player, officially.
Paris is building a colossal team: Les Galactiques are born.
In Barcelona, some have to rub their eyes: a few days ago Messi was close to renewing his contract, now he's gone.
Pain in Catalonia. "
Italy
Corriere dello Sport:
“Messi laughs.
Leo ends up in Paris and dries his tears after the painful farewell from Barcelona.
Paris lies at his feet and welcomes the soccer star like a king. "
La Repubblica:
"Laughing after crying - Messi in Paris is a reality."
Corriere della Sera:
"Je suis Messì (I am Messi) - The flea conquers Paris, which welcomes him like a king."
Gazzetta dello Sport:
"Paris sacrificed itself for a Messi."
Tuttosport:
"Ask me if I'm happy: Messi from the tears in Barcelona to the intoxication of Paris."
France
Le Parisien:
“Parisians!
An extraordinary story begins with the arrival of Lionel Messi in Paris.
(...) On a sporting level, the club will be able to approach its goal with an attack line consisting of Neymar, Mbappé and Messi: the Champions League. "
Liberation:
“It remains to be seen what sporting significance the unbelievable process that led to Messi's arrival in France has ... For the Champions League, which Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) has been chasing since the 2011 fund's acquisition of the capital city club is, this sporty spirit is retained (...). "
L'Equipe:
“This is Messi.
The dream is no more.
The flea is in Paris and each of his appearances in the stadiums of the French championship will instill hope for a thrill.
A new world begins.
The club can hardly dream of more. "
L'Union:
"Lionel Messi, a king in Paris."
Le Dauphine:
"In another galaxy."
England
Daily Mail:
“Masters of Paris.
PSG are driven to win the Champions League.
Does Messi share this obsession?
Can he ever feel about his new home the way he felt about Barcelona?
Barca were really more than a club to him.
Will that be said of PSG? "
Russia
Kommersant:
“The sporting highlight on Tuesday was a short trip by the six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi. He traveled from El Prat Airport in Barcelona to Le Bourget in Paris, where the Argentine was received by hundreds of fans. This flight was the most convincing confirmation of the information that the outstanding Argentine player's new job will be the flagship of French football, PSG. "
Rossiyskaya Gazeta:
“It is not known how difficult it was mentally for the Argentine to start a new chapter in his career.
Everyone saw Messi's tears at the farewell press conference in Barcelona.
But yesterday his wife posted a photo from the plane with a smiling lion.
And Messi himself wore a t-shirt that said 'This is Paris' and greeted the crowd of fans of Paris Saint-Germain. "
Switzerland
Neue Zürcher Zeitung:
"The Emir of Qatar treats himself to Lionel Messi."