Nasser Al-Khelaifi, next to Messi, is “very happy and very proud” to present Messi, saying it’s a great moment for Qatar the club. Messi is the only man to win six Ballon d’Or’s and “it’s amazing” what they’ve achieved. Yes, how on earth did they do it? It’s a mystery, a real head-scratcher.
Messi is told that his kids will be happy in Paris, and they’ve told Al-Khelaifi that Paris is their favourite or one of their favourite cities in the world.
Messi says he’s very happy, though his exit from Barcelona was very hard after so many years. It’s a very difficult change after such a long time, but arriving in Paris he feels very happy and can’t wait to start training. He’s enjoyed his time in Paris “since the first minute” and is just thinking about starting training, “beginning this new moment of my life”.
He thanks Al-Khelaifi and Leonardo, who were quick in their negotiations, which were easy – yes, writing noughts is not taxing – and he thinks the club is ready to fight for all the trophies, which is his goal.
He wants to keep winning titles, which is why he’s come to the club, and thanks Paris for receiving him so nicely – he’s going to fight for the club, thanks Al-Khelaifi and Leonardo again – I wonder if that was a contractual term – and will now take questions.
He’s asked about playing alongside Neymar and Mbappe, and says it’s great to be training with them and living alongside them – and all the other players. “It’s very nice”. I concur.
He’s not sure when he’ll play his first minutes in Ligue 1 as he’s been on holiday and this is very new, but he spoke to the technical staff yesterday and maybe needs a pre-season. He’ll begin to train and work and hopes to play as soon as he can – when the club thinks he’s ready, he’ll be ready.