Lionel Messi says playing against Barcelona would be ‘very strange’ after signing for PSG

Messi spent 21 years at Barca but could now play against them in European competition

Lionel Messi admitted it would be “very strange” to play against his former club Barcelona as he was unveiled by Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi, 34, was presented to a news conference in Paris after signing a two-year contract at PSG. He spent 21 years at Barca after moving to Spain from Argentina as a child, and became widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time during a career at the Camp Nou which included 10 league titles, seven Spanish cups and four Champions Leagues, as well as a record six Ballon d’Or awards.

“I don’t know if we will face Barcelona, it would be very nice to go back, hopefully with fans [in the stadium],” Messi said of the potential to meet his former side in European competition. “It would be very strange to play at home, there in Barcelona, in another shirt, but it could happen.”

PSG are still chasing an elusive Champions League trophy, having fallen at the semi-final stage last season after eliminating Barcelona in the last 16. One year earlier, the club lost in the final against Bayern Munich.

“This team is ready [to win the Champions League],” Messi insisted. “There are some new transfers, but they have been close and are ready.”

Domestically, PSG’s stranglehold on the Ligue 1 title was broken by Lille last season.

“I’ve been following, and I know Ligue 1 because of my friends,” Messi said. “This league has been growing a lot... it’s more competitive, all the teams are getting stronger because they want to beat PSG.”