Paris: President of Paris Saint-Germain, Nasser Al Khelaifi, confirmed that signing Argentine star Lionel Messi is a historic event, not only in French football but also in world football.
"We are the first club that Messi signed for after Barcelona. We have made the best transfer market in the last 10 years. We expect a lot from him on the field. Our ambition is great and we do not hide it. This player will bring a lot to the club inside and outside stadium," Al Khelaifi said in the press conference held yesterday during the presentation of the Argentine star.
“I am happy that Messi chose to join Paris Saint-Germain and we are proud to welcome him to Paris with his family. Many big clubs called him, and offered him more money, but he chose this club. He wants to win titles and continue to play at the highest level,” the club President added.
"The ambition of the club is the same, of course."
He continued by saying that Messi’s joining the world-class team “Saint-Germain” confirms the importance and success of our contracts. And with our amazing coach and crew, I look forward to seeing our team make history for all of our fans around the world.
Al Khelaifi added, “We have been applying the rules of financial fair play since day one, and we have continued to respect these rules, and we use the specialists in these areas. As long as we signed with Messi, this means that we had the legal capacity, today what this star brings to the club is a huge thing. It is a great gain for the club, and the club increases the value of its presence in different ways. I hope that you, as media professionals, focus on that..
"Messi’s arrival will reflect positively on our club. Everyone knows that what we are doing is not only for PSG, but for French football and France."
Regarding the Champions League, Al Khelaifi said: "We will think about the Champions League. Now we have the French League. It is easy to say that we are favourites, and surely this is our goal and we must keep it working."
