Argentina icon Lionel Messi under fire for alleged true persona, ex-teammate claims

A former Paris Saint-Germain player has claimed that Lionel Messi has revealed his "true personality," alleging that the Argentina legend has been "caught out."

Chirag

November 25, 2023

Lionel Messi Has Been Accused Of Being Rude — Image via Getty Images

The 36-year-old guided his nation to World Cup victory last December, departing PSG afterward to join Inter Miami in the MLS, owned by David Beckham. Despite tempting offers from Saudi Arabia and a return to Barcelona, Messi chose America and helped secure their inaugural Leagues Cup.

However, a former PSG player suggests that the perception of Messi among fans has shifted from adoration to skepticism, urging him to exhibit more humility. Jerome Rothen, a retired French international, remarks that Messi’s demeanor on and off the field has changed since his Barcelona days, especially since winning the World Cup with Argentina.

Reports emerged of a disagreement between Messi and Rodrygo during Argentina’s recent win in Brazil, where Messi was accused by some media outlets of making a conceited comment to his opponent.

Rothen criticizes Messi, stating, “He used to have the image of a sweet guy, but now he has changed because his true personality is coming out and he got caught.” Rothen highlights an incident where Messi allegedly asserted his status as a world champion to Rodrygo, suggesting a newfound arrogance.

According to Rothen, the behaviour reflects a broader Argentine attitude of superiority. He implies that Messi, in particular, is quick to criticize others but can’t handle criticism himself.

Moreover, Rothen argues that Messi didn’t deserve his eighth Ballon d’Or, insisting it should have gone to Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. He claims that Messi’s achievements between August 2022 and June 2023 don’t outweigh Haaland’s, especially as Haaland excelled with Manchester City while Messi’s success largely hinged on the World Cup victory, which shouldn’t solely define greatness.