Marco Verratti, former teammate of Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), revealed how a single dinner in Ibiza became a turning point for Messi’s move from Barcelona to PSG. The Italian midfielder explained that Neymar had invited him, Angel Di Maria, and Leandro Paredes to dine with Messi, who was still at Barcelona at that time, before the Argentine made his remarkable switch to the French club.
Verratti shared details about that evening in an interview with Gazzetta, describing how the dinner set the stage for the transfer. During the meal, discussions among Messi and the PSG players helped encourage him to consider joining the Parisians.
An Evening That Changed Messi’s Career Path
According to Verratti, the night in Ibiza felt almost magical. Neymar told him that Messi would be joining their dinner, leading to a gathering of key PSG players around the table. The conversation flowed effortlessly, and the group subtly persuaded Messi to contemplate moving to Paris. Verratti recalled this moment:
“I remember a great night that became almost magical. We are in Ibiza, Neymar comes to me and tells me that tonight we will also be having dinner with Leo Messi. So I, Leo, Paredes, Ney and Di Maria end up at the table. We talk and we’re fine. And we give him, so to speak, a head like this so that he can come to Paris.”
—Marco Verratti, PSG Midfielder
Later that night, the players parted ways, and the next day news emerged of problems between Messi and Barcelona. Soon after, Neymar contacted Verratti with surprising news:
“Late in the evening we say goodbye and the next day we read that there are problems between him and Barcelona. Then, in the early afternoon Neymar calls me: ‘Marco, Leo comes to us’. Incredible: from having him at dinner to having him as a team-mate. Magical evening.”
—Marco Verratti, PSG Midfielder
Messi’s Impact and PSG Tenure After the Transfer
Following the dinner and Messi’s subsequent arrival, he and Verratti played together in 57 matches for PSG across various competitions. Messi contributed significantly throughout his tenure at Parc des Princes until the summer of 2023, when he chose to sign with <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/soccer/mls/”>MLS club Inter Miami. His time in Paris marked a new phase in his illustrious career, showcasing his adaptability and ambition.
Pep Guardiola on the Pressure Surrounding Rising Star Lamine Yamal
Meanwhile, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola talked about the young Barcelona player Lamine Yamal, emphasizing the importance of letting the winger develop independently despite constant comparisons to Messi. At just 18 years old, Yamal is already being mentioned among the potential 2025 Ballon d’Or contenders after an impressive season featuring 55 appearances with 18 goals and 25 assists.
“Let him develop his career. And the fact that he’s being compared to Messi is a big deal. Like if you compare a painter to Van Gogh, they’ll say, wow, he’s not bad, it’s a sign he’s good. And that comparison is a sign he’s good. But we have to let him develop his career. And we’ll see.”
—Pep Guardiola, Manchester City Head Coach
Messi remains one of football’s greatest figures, having won the UEFA Champions League three times, secured ten La Liga titles, and lifted the World Cup with Argentina. Guardiola’s remarks highlight the challenge of meeting expectations when following in such legendary footsteps.