Former Paris Saint-Germain sporting director, Leonardo, has shed light on the club’s failure to adequately support two of football’s biggest stars, Lionel Messi and Neymar, during their tenure at the French powerhouse.
Between 2019 and 2022, Leonardo played a pivotal role in managing the dynamic duo of Messi and Neymar. However, he believes that the organisation let down these superstar players.
Speaking to Brazilian publication Ge, Leonardo emphasised the importance of creating a conducive environment for top talents, stating, “People need to feel comfortable. These players need a state of good spirits, they need to feel support, they need to be recognized, and the ones who have to do that are the club, us, and the coaches.”
Leonardo dismissed the notion of ego clashes within the PSG dressing room, asserting that players of such calibre are not complicated and often contribute more solutions than problems. He also highlighted the need for players to be open to fostering a winning spirit.
During their time at Parc des Princes, Messi and Neymar, along with Kylian Mbappe, formed a formidable attacking trio that clinched the Champions League title.
However, their failure to replicate that success at times sparked heated reactions from PSG fans. Messi admitted his unhappiness during his two-year stint in Paris, while Neymar described their experience as “hell.”
With Messi and Neymar’s departures to Inter Miami and Al-Hilal respectively, PSG has made significant signings, including Randal Kolo Muani, Ousmane Dembele, and Goncalo Ramos.
