In 2011, when Qatar took control of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), a revolutionary chapter began, marked by unprecedented ambition in French football. Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, the club’s president, made a stunning declaration: he had the financial power to buy any player in the world, and he wasn’t shy about it.
Upon his arrival, Al-Khelaïfi astonished everyone in the locker room with a bold statement. He declared that PSG had the resources to sign not just any player, but the biggest stars of the era, including Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. A teammate, Mathieu Bodmer, recalled him saying, “I can buy Messi and Ronaldo if I want, and I’ll make them play together.”
Back then, financial fair play regulations didn’t exist, and PSG’s ambitions were limitless. The club wasn’t just dreaming; it was intent on reshaping the game. This wasn’t a mere promise but a show of force: PSG aimed to transition from admiring stars to owning them outright.
PSG declares war on global football
Years later, Messi would indeed join PSG, but Ronaldo never made the move. This moment in the locker room illustrated the club’s aspirations to be at the pinnacle of world football, ready to rewrite the rules of the game.
That day marked a turning point for PSG. Qatar wasn’t just announcing a project; they were declaring war on global football, signaling that a new era was on the horizon for the sport.
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