Messi is a liar - PSG Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi

Lionel Messi celebrates with the coveted World Cup trophy after helping Argentina to the feat in Qatar last year. (Photo credit: GOAL)

PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi has strongly refuted Lionel Messi’s claim that the club didn’t celebrate him after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Argentina World Cup winner Lionel Messi, in a sensational chat with ESPN over the weekend, said that of all the 25 players that won the World Cup for Argentina in Qatar last year, he was the only one that didn’t get club recognition, but the PSG chairman has shut down the claim.

"It was understandable. Because of us [Argentina], they [France] didn't retain the World Cup." Remember that Messi scored twice and converted the first penalty in the shootout that eventually crowned Argentina as the world champions?

Al-Khelaifi condemned Messi’s statement without remorse in a swift counterclaim: "As everyone saw, because we even published a video, we celebrated Messi in training, and we also celebrated him in private," Al-Khalaifi told reporters.

"But with respect, we are a French club. It was, of course, sensitive to celebrate at the stadium. We must respect the country he defeated, his teammates on the France team, and our supporters too." The club went on to share videos and pictures from the training and private events after Messi arrived from Qatar.

Lionel Messi left PSG in the summer after his contract expired and joined David Beckham’s Inter Miami. The former Barcelona man has inspired his new club to League Cup success, and the club hopes Messi is fit enough to play the US Open final on Wednesday after sitting out the 1-1 draw with Orlando City on Sunday.