Lionel Messi said he was “in the right place” to win another Champions League title and cited his meeting with Neymar as a key factor in his decision to join Paris Saint-Germain.

The 34-year-old Argentine footballer spoke at a press conference at the Parc des Princes stadium on Wednesday, the morning after signing a two-season contract plus an option year following his departure from FC Barcelona.

“My goal and my dream is to lift the Champions League trophy again and I believe I am in the right place to have the best chance of achieving it,” Messi said.

“When you see this training, you really want to be part of it because there are so many possibilities,” he added. We all have the same goal. And Neymar is of course for many and an important factor in my choice. »

Supported financially by a Qatari sovereign wealth fund, PSG are desperately trying to triumph in the Champions League. He came just short in 2020, losing in the final to Bayern Munich. Messi helped FC Barcelona win the continental championship four times.

Messi’s arrival offers PSG exceptional options for the striker, with not only Neymar — his former Barcelona team — mate-but also French sensation Kylian Mbappé.

“I’m going to play with the best players, which is good. It is incredible to have the chance to experience this, ” said Messi, who also cited the presence of his teammates with the Argentine selection Angel di Maria and Leandro Paredes.

“Of course, one of the reasons I came is the presence of Neymar, Di Maria and Paredes in the dressing room. »

Messi said he was ready to play with PSG, who will host Strasbourg on Saturday night. “When I feel it and when the staff believe I’m ready, I’ll be ready. I feel ready to play, ” he said.

Messi became the most prestigious autonomous player in soccer history when his attempts to stay with FC Barcelona were turned down by the Spanish league due to financial fair play rules and the Catalan club’s debt of more than 1.2 billion euros.

PSG acted quickly to hire the Argentine star. “[PSG] quickly indicated their intentions and things moved quickly. The situation was difficult, but they were effective, ” Messi said.

PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino quickly got in touch with his Argentine compatriot after FC Barcelona announced last Thursday that Messi would leave the club he joined at the age of 13.

Messi has won all major championships with FC Barcelona and was unable to contain his emotions at a farewell press conference on Sunday.

If PSG had to spend 222 million euros to get Neymar from FC Barcelona in 2017, they did not have a transfer fee to pay for Messi.

Messi’s salary with PSG has not been disclosed, but a person familiar with the negotiations previously told the Associated Press that Messi will receive around 35 million euros per year. The person spoke on condition of anonymity before the contract was signed.

PSG hope Messi’s arrival will help them not only reclaim their French championship crown, lost to Lille last season, but also finally win a Champions League title.

The president of Paris Saint-Germain, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, called the day ” historic for the club and the world of football. It’s a fantastic day for us.”

“Everyone knows Leo … He is a football magician, a magnificent player and a winner,” he added. It will be very exciting for our supporters and fans around the world. We have great ambitions. »

Messi’s arrival could also convince Mbappé to extend his Parisian adventure, believes Al-Khelaifi. Mbappé’s contract expires at the end of the 2021-2022 season.

“He wanted a competitive team and I believe we have the most competitive team in the world. He has no excuses, Al-Khelaifi said. He can’t do anything but stay. »

PSG supporters have seen their club transformed over the past decade by investments from a Qatari sovereign wealth fund linked to the emir. Once Messi’s contract with FC Barcelona expired — and the Catalan club unable to retain his services-PSG were one of the only clubs with the means to finance a deal with the winner of six Ballon d’Or titles.

Messi will wear number 30 — the same number he wore in his first two seasons with FC Barcelona before changing to number 19, then number 10, which Neymar will however keep at PSG.