20 September 2023 , 21:03
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Jamie Carragher has revealed a noteworthy incident involving a direct message exchange with seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi.
The Argentine took exception to Carragher's criticism of Paris Saint Germain's Champions League disappointments and his response included calling the former Liverpool defender a "donkey."
When posed with the inquiry by Micah Richards regarding whether Messi had ever engaged him through direct messaging, Carragher candidly acknowledged that Messi had indeed reached out to him. Without delay, Carragher retrieved his mobile device and read the message aloud.
In a light-hearted tone, he asked the assembled CBS studio members, including Richards, Thierry Henry, and host Kate Abdo: "Is it the Spanish language that Argentinians use?" Carragher continued by sharing the specific term Messi had used to refer to him, displaying his curiosity: "He called me a 'burro.' I am not quite certain about its meaning."
Abdo provided clarification, indicating that "burro" translates to "donkey." The moment elicited a collective bout of laughter within the studio. With an affable smile directed towards the camera, Carragher responded, "Thank you," concluding the episode with good-natured humor.
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After Messi transferred to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, Carragher shared his concerns about the move and criticized its strategic value for the Ligue 1 club. This was notable because Messi had been dedicated to Barcelona for 21 years before leaving. Messi had noted Carragher's comments and quickly shared his perspective with him.
In retrospect, Carragher's concerns played out in real life. Messi made the high-profile move to PSG following a protracted financial dispute with his former Spanish club. He secured two Ligue 1 titles at PSG, but the team came up short in European competition.
Messi training at Inter Miami after leaving PSG (Getty Images)The PSG supporters quickly grew disillusioned with the allure of Messi's magic shortly after he arrived at the club. Their initial expectations had centered on Messi's ability to score more than seven goals within the first four months of his tenure. Additionally, they expressed frustration over his limited contribution in terms of assists, with only four registered during that same time frame.
The club primarily recruited Messi intending to overcome the obstacle that had hindered PSG from securing victory in the UEFA Champions League. Their hopes were crushed during the 2022 tournament when a hat-trick by Karim Benzema led to the Frech club's elimination by Real Madrid.
The PSG fans were deeply disappointed by their team's defeat and frustrated over their subpar performance. However, the former PSG manager, Mauricio Pochettino, attributed the loss to the match officials, leading to a heated discussion about the circumstances surrounding the team's exit from the European competition.
Messi, who now plays for MLS club Inter Miami after leaving PSG in the summer on a free transfer, recalled his time at PSG as feeling a fracture with the fans after his two-year stint. "Well, I think in the beginning, it was something wonderful," Messi recalled during an interview with beIN Sports. "Same as the reception I had when I arrived. But then some people started to treat me differently, a part of the Paris supporters."