KEY POINTS

  • PSG won Ligue 1 2021-22, their only trophy of the season
  • Messi finished the campaign with just 11 goals
  • Kylian Mbappe recently signed a lucrative new deal with PSG

Angel di Maria believes his compatriot Lionel Messi will thrive under a new manager at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) next season.

While Di Maria has announced his departure from PSG, Messi will be entering his second term at Parc des Princes. PSG did not have the best of the season in Messi's debut term as the Argentinean skipper managed just 11 goals in 34 competitive games, apart from 15 assists.

PSG lifted just one trophy in the 2021-22 campaign – the Ligue 1 title, while they finished runners-up in the French Super Cup Trophée des Champions. Lille defeated PSG 1-0 to claim the domestic title.

"It seems like they also want [Pochettino] to leave. There will be a very big change, but I think Messi can handle it. It will help him to be much better next season. I think he will start very well because he ended up contributing goals, giving assists, feeling very comfortable, and adapting more and more [late this past season]," Di Maria told TyC Sports, Goal.com reported.

Ending his long-term association with Barcelona, Messi moved to PSG as a free agent in the summer of 2021.

When is Lionel Messi going to explode into life with PSG?
When is Lionel Messi going to explode into life with PSG? AFP / FRANCK FIFE

PSG head coach Mauricio Pochettino is believed to be nearing the end of his stint with the French club as they are looking to develop a new project on the back of Kylian Mbappe's lucrative contract extension. The likes of Jose Mourinho and Zinedine Zidane are considered among the potential replacement for Pochettino, according to Marca.com.

Di Maria is being linked with a move to Juventus as the club is also looking to re-sign Paul Pogba. The Argentinean winger is yet to give Juventus his final answer, while his agent is also in talks with FC Barcelona, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, who has a credible record in the European soccer market.

Speaking about his PSG exit, Di Maria said, "There are other players who will surely leave. Mine was the easiest because they didn't have to renew me. On the one hand, it hurt and on the other, it didn't."

Di Maria, who has played alongside both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on the club level, has scored 154 goals and 243 assists in 676 competitive matches in his career so far.

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