Lionel Messi has been accused of revealing his “true personality” to a former Paris Saint-Germain player, claiming the Argentina legend has been “discovered”.
The 36-year-old led his country to World Cup glory in December before leaving PSG this summer to join David Beckham’s Inter Miami in the US Professional Football League. League (MLS).
Messi, who has lifted the Ballon d’Or a record eight times, turned down a lucrative contract offer from Saudi Arabia and Barcelona to return to the United States and give them their first trophy when they won the Carabao Cup.
Now a former PSG ace says the icon has gone from a favorite to a villain in the eyes of supporters who also believe he needs to show more humility.
Former France international Jerome Roten, who retired in 2013, said there was a difference between Messi’s glory days at Camp Nou and the way the rest of his Argentina team-mates performed on the pitch since becoming world champion.
Messi and Rodrygo allegedly had an altercation during Argentina’s win over Brazil in midweek, with some media accusing Messi of making smug remarks about their rivals.
Rosen, 45, said: “In terms of their behavior, they are the first to attack others. Starting with Leo Messi, the star of this team.
“Now he is a world champion and has been well rested before the World Cup since two years ago at PSG.
“His previous image was that of a lovable guy, but now he’s changed because his true character has been exposed and he’s been caught.”
Rosen continued: “You can’t even touch him anymore today. It’s only when he gets hit that he does the same thing he said to Rodrigo last night: ‘Hey, I’m the world champion. “
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“This team embodies what it means to be Argentinian. That’s what Argentinian nationality is, you feel superior because of others. “They could have more lessons. “
Wroten then said Messi didn’t deserve the Ballon d’Or and that he should go to Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
He added: “It’s such a shame! Of course, it’s a shame! For me, Haaland should win. From August 2022 to June 2023, what criteria makes us believe that Messi is better than others ?
“There are basically no criteria to judge whether he is number one. If we talk about trophies, even if he did win the World Cup, he is behind Haaland.
“Haaland won everything at Manchester City and of course you can’t make comparisons based on the World Cup because Haaland is Norwegian.”