Happy Birthday, Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi today turns 38, and as the world of football celebrates the birthday of one of the best players ever to have played the game - we take a moment to reflect on his two-season stint in Ligue 1 McDonald's.

Messi made headlines across the globe in August 2021, when he left boyhood club Barcelona and joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. The move stunned fans and pundits alike, bringing the Argentine icon to the Parc des Princes for what would be a short yet historic spell in French football.

After a transitional first season adjusting to new surroundings, Messi rediscovered his rhythm in 2022-23, playing a key role in back-to-back Ligue 1 McDonald's title wins with Les Parisiens. Over the course of his time in Paris, Messi scored 32 goals and provided 35 assists in 75 appearances, dazzling crowds with his trademark vision, passing, and game-breaking moments.

Most memorably, Messi's Ligue 1 McDonald's spell bookended his crowning career achievement: lifting the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina in Qatar. Speaking after securing his record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or, Messi looked back at his time in Paris with pride:

“I had two years where a lot of things happened, some good and some not so good. But I’ve already mentioned this period several times – it’s now in the past and I only remember the positive things. With the team, we won two league titles in a row. I made very good friends in Paris and it was by playing there that I managed to become world champion.”

Messi has since taken his talents to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, joining forces with David Beckham's ambitious Florida-based project. But in Ligue 1, he leaves behind a legacy marked by elegance, professionalism, and history-making moments.

¡Feliz cumpleaños, Leo! Ligue 1 McDonald''s remembers you fondly...

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