Lionel Messi captain: Champion of America arrived in France with a winning attitude and is going for the Champions League

Paris Saint-Germain has pulled off the biggest deal of the summer, signing 6-time Ballon d'Or winner, Lionel Messi, on a free transfer. The 34-year-old legendary player had to leave Barcelona due to the Spanish club's inability to re-sign Messi to a new contract. The Blaugrana cited 'financial and structural obstacles' as the reasons they couldn't take back the player after his contract expired on July 1st.

Lionel Messi had played for 18 senior seasons for Barcelona before his departure. Up until now, Barcelona was his only senior club, never turning out for another club in his senior career. Messi was a strong leadership figure at the Camp Nou, having been named as the second captain in 2015, deputising for Iniesta. He became the Captain of Barcelona in 2018, after the departure of club legend, Iniesta to Japanese side Vissel Kobe. This means that Messi was the first captain for 3 full seasons at Barcelona. 

The Argentine talisman has also been very influential for his national team both on and off the pitch. He was first appointed Captain of the national team during the 2010 World Cup Group B match against Greece. He was 22 years and 363 days when he led the Argentine team out, making him the youngest player to captain the Abiceleste. His crowning moment came in the Copa America 2021 when he captained the national team to the trophy after so many final heartbreaks. 

With his impeccable leadership traits, it is left to be seen if Messi will be drafted in as one of the captains at his new club, PSG. The current captain of the club is Brazilian defender, Marquinhos. His defensive partner, Presnel Kimpembe has also been assigned captain duties at times. Same as Neymar. Of the 3, Messi is the most accomplished so we'll wait to see if Mauricio Pochettino would draft a fellow Argentine into the Captain's roster at the Parc des Princes this season.