Marco Verratti Shared Details of 'Magical Night' in Ibiza That Led to Lionel Messi's PSG Move

 Lionel Messi’s high-profile transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021 sent shockwaves through the football world, marking the end of an era at FC Barcelona and the beginning of a new chapter in Paris. 

Now, nearly four years later, former PSG midfielder Marco Verratti has shared new insights into the pivotal moment that helped persuade the Argentine legend to make the switch — a “magical night” in Ibiza.

In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Verratti revealed that a casual dinner with close friends and teammates played a decisive role in Messi’s move to the French capital.

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“I remember a fantastic night that became almost magical,” Verratti recalled. “We were in Ibiza, and Neymar came to me and said we’d be having dinner with Messi. So, there we were at the table: me, Messi, Paredes, Neymar, and Di María. We talked, had fun, and — in a way — convinced him to come to Paris.”

According to Verratti, the timing of the dinner proved serendipitous. The following day, news broke that Messi’s contract renewal with Barcelona had collapsed due to financial and administrative issues at the club.

 By the afternoon, Neymar called Verratti with an update: “Marco, Messi is coming to our team.”

Messi’s arrival at PSG was officially confirmed days later, forming a blockbuster attacking trio alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappé. The signing was widely seen as a landmark moment for PSG, elevating the club’s global profile and sparking dreams of Champions League glory.

Despite flashes of brilliance, Messi's two-year stint in Paris fell short of expectations. In 2023, he departed the French capital to join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, bringing his European club career to a close.

Verratti, who now plays for Al-Duhail in Qatar, offered the anecdote as a rare glimpse into the personal dynamics that sometimes shape football history — proof that even monumental transfers can begin with a simple dinner among friends.