Lionel Messi says PSG ‘capable of winning everything’ this season

Lionel Messi, in his first public comments since signing with PSG, says the club can dominate this season. Here’s a recap of what he had to say.  

He came, he saw — and he says PSG can win it all.

That was the biggest takeaway from Lionel Messi’s first news conference on Wednesday in Paris as the newest member of PSG.

“My goal and my dream is to win the Champions League once more. I think that we have the team to do it here,” Messi told reporters at the Parc des Princes. “The squad and coaches here are capable of winning everything, which is my objective. The team here is incredible.”

The 34-year-old Argentine star officially signed Tuesday with PSG, one of just a handful of clubs who could afford Messi’s hefty price tag. PSG has a star-studded roster going into this season and includes Brazilian striker Neymar, a former teammate of Messi at Barcelona, and French winger Kylian Mbappe.

Messi signed a two-year deal with the club, with an option for a third, that will net him an annual salary of $41 million plus bonuses and a reported $30 million signing fee.

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Paris Saint-Germain has signed other big names this summer, including AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, fresh off leading Italy to the European title, Real Madrid center back Sergio Ramos and Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum.

Messi will wear the No. 30 jersey at PSG, leaving the prized No. 10 for Neymar to keep.

Messi left Barcelona after the Catalan club failed to register his five-year contract with them late last week due to financial complications surrounding La Liga’s rules on salaries.

Below are highlights from Messi’s first news conference:

On playing alongside Neymar and Mbappe

“I am very happy. It’s crazy. I’m going to play with the best players in the world and that’s always good.”

Being on the same club team as Argentines Angel di Maria and Leandro Paredes

“Obviously, one of the reasons was the dressing room: Neymar, Di Maria, Paredes, whom I know.”

On what this season will be like

“There have been some amazing signings. This will be an unbelievable experience for me.”

When we will see Messi play his first official game

“I do not know when I will first be able to play and I might need some preseason conditioning first. I really want to begin the training sessions. I really want it to be quick.”

On the fans in Paris excited to see him

“I am really grateful to the people in the streets. It is incredible. I want to thank them. I want to see them in the city and the stadium. It will be an incredible year.”