Lionel Messi 'unhappy' in Paris as reasons for his trip to Barcelona come to light

Lionel Messi has been nowhere near his best form since completing his high-profile summer transfer from Barcelona this summer.

In November, the Argentine landed a record-breaking seventh Ballon d'Or title by scooping the 2021 accolade before ranking second behind Robert Lewandowski in the 2021 FIFA Best Men's Player awards last month.

Yet his form has notably dipped since his summer switch to Paris and he has netted just one domestic goal for PSG since his summer switch.

Messi has fared better in European competition but his record in 18 appearances for his new club is just six goals and four direct goal assists – numbers well below what he has averaged over his career.

The 34-year-old once again failed to yield any influence for Mauricio Pochettino’s side as PSG were eliminated from the Coupe de France by Nice this week, losing a penalty shootout after a goalless draw.

Messi has been hit by minor injury setbacks during his time in the France capital and has also recently recovered from Covid in a season that has, to date, been frustrating for the player.

A report from El Confidencial has outlined how the Argentine has struggled to settle in Paris for multiple reasons.

It is claimed that he and his family are yet to fluently speak French, which is perhaps unsurprising, although the club have organised private language lessons for Messi and his young family.

They are also said to miss the weather of the Catalan capital with Paris instead having a cooler climate with more rain.

This was a claim that was echoed by his close friend Luis Suarez earlier this season, when the Uruguayan claimed that Messi told him he was “suffering” in the French capital.

Messi lived his opening months in Paris in the Royal Monceau hotel