Thierry Henry says Lionel Messi ‘suffered emotionally’

Speaking in an interview with L’Equipe (h/t GOAL) former Barcelona forward Thierry Henry has called for fans to have patience with Lionel Messi as he ‘suffered emotionally’ while leaving the Catalans in the summer.

The whole footballing community was in shock when it was confirmed that Messi would be leaving the Blaugrana on a free transfer last year after the club had failed to renew his contract.

A tearful Messi bid goodbye to the club and the fans in a press conference before joining Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year contract. The 34-year-old had a slow start to life in Ligue 1 but has been picking up form in recent weeks.

And, Henry, who played with Messi at Barcelona, spoke about the Argentine’s troubles while talking about mental health in sports, attributing his lack of form to the emotional turmoil he had to go through while leaving the Catalan giants.

“You’d have to ask him, I can’t speak for him. But, when we talk about Messi or Neymar, who are exceptional players, we too often forget that aspect,” the Arsenal legend said.

“When Lionel cried on leaving Barcelona, that wasn’t part of the plan. When you think you’re never going to leave somewhere, and then suddenly it happens, it creates an emotional shock. People say, ‘he’s fine, he’s got everything he needs in Paris’, but it’s not that simple.”

Citing his own situation as an example, Henry further added: “When I left Arsenal for Barcelona it took me a year to feel good. I arrived there with an injury, going through a divorce, I have to learn a new system, you mix all of that up and it plays on the mind.”

After a slow start to life in PSG, Messi has found his footing of late. He has scored seven goals and registered 11 assists in 24 matches across all competitions.