CELEBRITY
Argentinians celebrate ‘new stage’ in Messi’s career ahead of PSG move
Argentinians reacted with joy and pride as their national idol Lionel Messi arrived in France on Tuesday (Aug 10) ahead of his move to PSG following two decades at Barcelona.
The South American country may be 11,000 kilometres from Paris but Argentines were glued to their screens following the latest developments of the world’s most famous No. 10.
“Messi and the day of the 10: he’s arrived and revolutionised Paris!” said sports newspaper Ole, referring to the day of the month and Messi’s shirt number.
While Barcelona fans may be crying at the loss of their star and PSG diehards rejoicing, Argentines viewed the six-time Ballon d’Or winner’s move positively.
“He’s come to the end of the cycle at Barcelona and it’s good to broaden your horizons,” Jose Iturria, a 60-year-old health worker in Buenos Aires, told AFP.
“The truth is he deserves the best because he’s the best player in the world.”
Messi is joining other stars in Paris such as France forward Kylian Mbappe, Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, Spain centre-back Sergio Ramos and Brazil’s Neymar.
Dario Luque, 38, said his new club will give Messi “a change of air and as he’ll be surrounded by more stars… it will be good for him and the team.”
‘It won’t be the same’
Speaking to Argentine channel C5N, Argentina’s ambassador to France, Leonardo Constatino said amongst Argentines in France “there is great pride. Everyone is delighted and it’s very exciting.
“We’re lucky to have the best player in the world in Paris.”
Constatino said he had received “many calls” from people wanting to meet Messi.
Argentina’s football association produced an emotional video that was circulating on social media called “Chin up champion” that began with Messi’s tears at his farewell press conference in Barcelona.
“The most incredible thing is that no Argentine will ever desert you, go where you go,” said the video that featured scenes from Messi’s career and family life.
Last month, Messi inspired Argentina to victory in the Copa America to end the country’s 27-year wait for a major trophy.
“PSG is a team full of (major) figures and Leo keeps saying he wants to carry on achieving things, it’s the ideal team for him,” Elvio Paolorosso, a former physio with Argentina and Barcelona, told AM 550 radio station.
He said PSG’s Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino would help Messi settle.
“The city, the language will be a problem for the family but for him it’s one of the best teams of the moment, as well as having an Argentine coach who will make things easier.”
“It won’t be the same seeing Barcelona without you,” Javier Mascherano, the former Argentina international midfielder who spent eight years at Barcelona alongside Messi, wrote on Instagram.
“It’s the start of a new stage and there’s no doubt you will leave your indelible mark wherever you want to go. Always the best.”
-AFP
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo crossed one billion followers across his social media accounts, aided by his newly-launched YouTube channel that has attracted more than 60 million subscribers in just over three weeks.
Ronaldo, who scored his 900th career goal last week to help Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in the Nations League, is the first human being to reach a billion followers on social media, global media reports said.
“We’ve made history, one billion followers! This is more than just a number, it’s a testament to our shared passion, drive, and love for the game and beyond,” Ronaldo posted on X.
“You’ve been with me every step of the way, through all the highs and the lows. This journey is our journey… thank you for believing in me, for your support, and for being part of my life.”
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid player reached the milestone with over 639 million followers on Instagram, 170 million on Facebook and 113 million on X.
The 39-year-old topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes this year, with off-field earnings of $60 million, boosted by his large social media following.
Ronaldo’s club Al-Nassr will host Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.
-Reuters
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo launched his YouTube channel on Wednesday and hundreds of thousands of subscribers signed up within a couple of hours.
The 39-year-old five-times Ballon D’Or winner plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.
“The wait is over. My @YouTube channel is finally here! SIUUUbscribe and join me on this new journey,” Ronaldo posted on his social media accounts.
A couple of hours after posting his first video, 1.69M subscribers had joined he channel.
Ronaldo has 112.5 million followers on the X platform, 170 million on Facebook and 636 million on Instagram.
The former Real Madrid and Manchester United player is preparing for his team’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al-Raed on Thursday.
-Reuters
Inter Miami will be the last club Argentina captain Lionel Messi plays for, the 36-year-old forward said on Wednesday, adding he feels “a little bit scared” at the thought of the day he decides to retire.
Messi, a World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022, has a contract with the Major League Soccer side until 2025 following his arrival last summer after a spell with French champions Paris St Germain.
“Inter Miami will be my last club. I love playing football. I enjoy everything even more because I am aware that there is less and less left,” Messi told ESPN.
“I’m not ready to leave football. I’ve done this all my life, I love playing football, I enjoy training, the day-to-day, the matches… And yes, there’s always a little bit of fear that it’s all over.”
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is preparing with his national team to defend their Copa America title, with the tournament kicking off on June 20 in the United States.
Argentina will take on Canada in the opening match before facing Group A rivals Chile on June 25 and Peru four days later.
-Reuters
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