Messi aiming for Champions League crown with PSG

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) – Lionel Messi said on Wednesday that he is dreaming of winning the Champions League once again after joining Paris Saint-Germain.

The Argentine superstar, who has signed a two-year deal with the French club, won four Champions League titles during his time with Barcelona, with the last one coming back in 2015.

“I think we have the team to do it here,” the 34-year-old said at a news conference with PSG President Nasser al-Khelaifi.

He thanked the club and the fans for a “wonderful” welcome, saying it has helped him overcome his difficult exit from Barcelona.

“I feel incredibly happy. I’ve enjoyed my time in Paris from the first minute. I can’t wait to get started with my teammates,” said Messi, who will don the number 30 jersey for PSG.

“I am very grateful that such complicated negotiations were made so easy. Truly. I feel this club is ready to fight for every title.”

Messi added that was hopeful for “an extraordinary year for the fans and the team.”

“Neymar and I know each other very well. I hope we will be stronger together and with all our teammates,” he said.

He said he knows PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino very well and “the fact that he is Argentinian helped from the start [and] was important in my decision [to join PSG].”

Messi, a six-time Ballon d'Or winner, also led Barcelona to 10 La Liga championships, seven Copa del Rey titles, eight Spanish Super Cups, three FIFA Club World Cups, and three UEFA Super Cups.