Lionel Messi believes that PSG are on the right track to win the UEFA Champions League after their 1-0 win over Real Madrid in the Round of 16 first-leg.
Speaking to the club’s magazine (h/t Goal), Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi has claimed that the team has what it takes to go all the way in the UEFA Champions League.
Ever since the Qatar Sports Investments took over as owners of PSG ten years ago, the club have been pushing to achieve success in the continental competition. They have been dominating the domestic scene in France for years now, but European glory has continued to elude them.
However, Messi, who himself has not won the Champions League since 2015, believes that the Parisian giants can cross that barrier and lift the trophy in the current campaign.
“It’s complicated to win the Champions League. Complicated, because it’s a competition that brings together the best teams, and where the smallest detail and the slightest mistake can eliminate you. I believe we have a team that can try to win it. We are excited about this idea and we really hope to get there, but we have to take things slowly,” he said.
Lionel Messi has not scored or assisted against Real Madrid since Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus at the start of the 2018/19 season. ? pic.twitter.com/dXBn4KYsNR
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 15, 2022
“I repeat, it is difficult to win the Champions League. It’s not always the best team that wins it and you really have to focus on all the details, thinking about being the strongest team possible. In the end, it is the strongest teams that achieve their goals. And we are on this path, seeking to become even stronger than what we are.”
PSG came close to lifting the Champions League trophy in 2019/20 but faced defeat in the final against Bayern Munich. Last season, under Mauricio Pochettino, Les Parisiens made it to the semi-finals, where Manchester City ousted them.
They are well-positioned to qualify for the quarter-finals this time out after defeating Real Madrid 1-0 in the first leg of the Round of 16 earlier this week. They will travel to Spain to face Los Blancos on March 9th in the second leg. Messi, who missed a penalty in the 1-0 victory, will be aiming to help PSG get over the line on his return to the home of his old foes next month.
