Lionel Messi has struggled to hit top form for Paris Saint-Germain this season following his high-profile summer transfer from Barcelona this summer.
The Argentine has continued to be in the running for all major awards; in November he landed a record-breaking seventh Ballon d'Or title as he landed the 2021 accolade before ranking second behind Robert Lewandowski in the 2021 FIFA Best Men's Player awards last week.
Yet his form has notably dipped since his summer switch to Paris and he has netted just one goal in Ligue 1 this campaign for his new club.
Messi has fared better in European competition but his record in 17 appearances for his new club is just six goals and four direct goal assists – numbers well below what he has averaged over his career.
The Argentine was back in action for Mauricio Pochettino’s side in this weekend’s comprehensive four-goal victory over Reims in Ligue 1, coming off the bench to provide an assist.
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Messi has been hit by minor injury setbacks during his time in the France capital and has also recently recovered from Covid in a season that has, to date, been frustrating for the player.
Two reasons for the 34-year-old’s form this campaign have now been outlined by the French press.
A report in L’Equipe, as cited by Foot Mercato, have highlighted that issues on and off the pitch have meant that Messi’s normal levels of output have dipped this term.
It is claimed that the Argentine superstar has struggled to settle in Paris following his arrival last August, which was not helped by the manner of his exit from Barcelona.
It was a rushed departure for the player and his family and not one that was planned, so their long-term aspirations were altered.
Messi did not want to leave the Camp Nou and the transfer was not one that he particularly desired, while his family had to stay in the Royal Monceau hotel for the first part of his stay in Paris.
While this is a luxury destination, it was not an ideal one for the player and the family to start their life in Paris as they did not have the normality of a home life.
In addition to this, it is claimed that Messi has struggled to adapt to the climate in the French capital – a claim that was echoed by his close friend Luis Suarez earlier this season.
On the pitch, Messi is said to have been surprised by the intensity and physicality of Ligue 1 – which was not something he was accustomed to every week in La Liga.
He has formed a close bond with his South American club teammates and particularly his Argentina international colleagues Angel di Maria and Leandro Paredes, with whom he was close with prior to his switch.
Messi is said to have maintained the upmost level of professionalism since his switch and is not outwardly unhappy, but things have not gone to plan for him so far in Paris.
