This is a very interesting discussion, and you’re completely correct: there are plenty of factors in the ‘Messi, Mbappé, and Neymar’ era in PSG that contributed to its disappointing end. Here is the analysis of what I think went wrong:

No Team Cohesion

PSG was often unable to construct a balanced team in spite of having three of the best players in the world on their roster. Messi, Mbappe, and Neymar each boast of individual world class qualities, but were hardly able to perform as a collective whole.

At the top level, football is a team game and this triad, unfortunately, could have never clicked. Neymar, for instance, is highly individual in his style of play, Mbappe enjoys quickly paced movements, and well, Messi is just a world class player. But there was a sense that all three of them, more often than not, looked like they were playing as individuals rather than working as part of a collaborated team.

The second point is the instability of management. PSG has a reputation of high managerial turnover, which did not help during the Messi-Mbape-Neymar period. For instance, it would seem Mauricio Pochettino had difficulties utilizing the squad to its full potential.

The team often lagged strategically in vital matches, as though they didn’t have a game plan to fully exploit their star players. Knowing that there were three gigantic egos he had to satisfy, the instability increased with the pressure on the manager as well.

In my opinion, people management has a significant contribution on team results which is why leadership continuity is crucial.

Third is the pressure of expectation. With Messi’s addition, PSG was expected to win everything which was a bit too much for them. Everything was on the line, and the team has found difficulty achieving tangible results to match dire expectations.

Based on my observations, the situation, in itself is a concoction of a nightmare considering the enormous media attention and the impossible thresholds of expectation set. Most people fail to realize that Messi, Mbappe, and Neymar all have legacies and egos of their own that need to be handled, and under such extreme pressure, things don’t always work out.

Ingram’s Wardrobe Malfunction

It was noisy on the day I saw them. It was lunchtime and the siren had just gone off. You could hear their screams from my class and they were some distance away. Smiling and regretting my decision as the teacher walked into the classroom, I imagined what part would be the best to draw from for painting.

Yes, it was going to be hard outside, but painting a snowman as they screamed and ran around looking for the yellow soccer ball was going to be loads of fun. Looking back at the incidents now, I realize they were just colorful school days, dramatized school days.

Children running around and getting headaches, but still smiling and shouting at the instructors as they tried to catch us. They had given up already.

What exactly had happened?

Squaring up to Samuel alongside Josiah almost got me mudded. Because my mind was truly elsewhere.

The float of Keizo was uninspired both in terms of means and symbols. I feel like I would suffocate from his narrow shoulders that cannot possibly bear the weight of a bull mastiff.

Mbappe and his control issues

The entire saga of Mbappe’s growing importance in PSG is quite creative, and his expanding grasp over the club was noticeable in recent seasons. He was in most cases, the key player for PSG, but at some points, he, his possessions and ambitions were inconsistent with the common ideology.

The fact that he has been given so much control over the team, especially in the context of the clubs goals, was not favorable for everyone, including Messi and Neymar.

It is to be noted that there were already some reports regarding the tensions in the locker room as a result of Mbappe’s emerging dominance which is very well known to be harmful for the dynamics of any team.

PSG’s European Nightmare

Most would agree that PSG has not performed well in the Champions League and that has always been the biggest letdown. They have had plenty of beautiful games and seasons with a super star team over more than a decade but somehow have never managed to win it all.

Be it ‘tough luck’, poor managerial decisions or simply being incapable of playing at such a level, PSG has not managed to move away from being ‘bottlers’ in Europe. The Messi-Mbappe-Neymar era only compounds that notion as it was such a missed golden chance.

What Could Have Been:

Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé were supposed to be a historic trio, but poor decisions around them led to missed chances. They needed the right support structure, ego management, and team mentality to reach their full potential.

Every football club dreams of having three extraordinary players in their team; PSG attempted that but unfortunately did not know how to make it work. If PSG managed the personalities and expectations better, they could have had greater success in the domestic league and international tournaments.

In Conclusion:

I see your point: particularly with the impact such a strong trio can bring to the club, PSG had many challenges. It wasn’t one thing that failed; instead, PSG did not build a strong team structure and deal with the players egos appropriately while performing consistently under pressure.

For sure the frustration at these missed opportunities is understandable. How can one not feel regret at what could have been looking back and forward at this talented trio?

Which brings us to you, do you think there is a different factor that created problems for PSG concerning these three players?

Photo Gallery

Paris Saint-Germain players celebrating a goal against Clermont Foot during a Ligue 1 match.
Paris Saint-Germain showcased their dominance in Ligue 1 with an impressive performance against Clermont Foot.
Kylian Mbappé, Neymar Jr., and Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain celebrating with the championship trophy.
The iconic trio, Mbappé, Neymar, and Messi, raise the championship trophy in celebration of Paris Saint-Germain’s victory.
Paris Saint-Germain players proudly posing with the Ligue 1 Uber Eats trophy at Parc des Princes after their match against Clermont Foot.
Paris Saint-Germain players gather for a photo with the Ligue 1 Uber Eats trophy following their victory over Clermont Foot on June 3, 2023.

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