Leandro Paredes reveals Messi's three-month silence over match comments

Lionel Messi went three months without speaking to his PSG teammate Leandro Paredes after Paredes made derogatory comments about Barcelona during a Champions League match in February 2021, which Messi overheard. The incident occurred as PSG defeated Barcelona 4-1, and despite Paredes' attempts to clarify that his comments were not directed at Messi, the silence persisted until they reunited with the Argentina national team later that year. Paredes recounted his anxiety regarding how Messi would react, but the tension eased when Messi playfully engaged with him, throwing water at him during their next encounter. Despite the initial fallout, both players have since laughed about the situation, with Paredes admitting that Messi was genuinely upset at the time. This incident highlights Messi's enduring loyalty to Barcelona and his sensitivity to disrespect towards the club. Messi's eventual move to PSG later in 2021 further intertwined their careers as teammates.