You could make the case that PSG’s owners, for all their largesse, had the most overall negative impact on the game and several star player careers. (Below is a banner unfurled by Bayern fans last night)
First they broke up the legendary MSN trio and contributed to Barcelona’s downfall, while turning Neymar from an heir apparent to Messi to an overly indulged man-child whose career immediately stalled after the move. They bought the next biggest talent of the generation in Mbappe and did the same to him - yes, the player in question also has his share of responsibility of course, but when it happens again and again, maybe you have to look at the bigger picture of the environment and leadership of the club. Looking at Mbappe amble about the pitch yesterday you couldn’t help but feel sad for what could have been had he grown up and matured somewhere other than PSG, coached by a proper manager. I think now it’s too late to change his habits.
They also ensured Messi’s last few years in Europe were mostly a waste - although he probably wouldn’t have won much in the dysfunctional Barcelona either, so they get a pass on that. What about all these other talents and genuinely good pros who devoted years to PSG - the likes of Verratti, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva etc - what about all the managers who all had their authority undermined and damaged their reputations trying to right that ship?
Now there are rumours that the Qataris will consider selling the club if they succeed with the bid for United. In 12 years of ownership, under 6 different managers and employing some of the biggest football talents of their time, they didn’t manage to put together a single cohesive team and the only history they created in Europe was that of embarrassing collapses. Once they are gone and this mirage is over, die-hard PSG fans will be left standing in the desert rubbing their eyes and asking themselves - was it all really worth it?
First they broke up the legendary MSN trio and contributed to Barcelona’s downfall, while turning Neymar from an heir apparent to Messi to an overly indulged man-child whose career immediately stalled after the move. They bought the next biggest talent of the generation in Mbappe and did the same to him - yes, the player in question also has his share of responsibility of course, but when it happens again and again, maybe you have to look at the bigger picture of the environment and leadership of the club. Looking at Mbappe amble about the pitch yesterday you couldn’t help but feel sad for what could have been had he grown up and matured somewhere other than PSG, coached by a proper manager. I think now it’s too late to change his habits.
They also ensured Messi’s last few years in Europe were mostly a waste - although he probably wouldn’t have won much in the dysfunctional Barcelona either, so they get a pass on that. What about all these other talents and genuinely good pros who devoted years to PSG - the likes of Verratti, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva etc - what about all the managers who all had their authority undermined and damaged their reputations trying to right that ship?
Now there are rumours that the Qataris will consider selling the club if they succeed with the bid for United. In 12 years of ownership, under 6 different managers and employing some of the biggest football talents of their time, they didn’t manage to put together a single cohesive team and the only history they created in Europe was that of embarrassing collapses. Once they are gone and this mirage is over, die-hard PSG fans will be left standing in the desert rubbing their eyes and asking themselves - was it all really worth it?
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