The absence of Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has shed light on the team's dynamics and performance.
While the Ligue 1 giants faced disappointment in the UEFA Champions League this season, being knocked out by Borussia Dortmund, there have been noticeable improvements within the squad.
Comparing PSG's recent Champions League campaigns, it's evident that Messi's presence had a significant impact.
In the 2019/20 season, PSG reached the final, followed by a semi-final appearance in 2020/21 just before Messi joined the squad.
However, his arrival marked a downturn, with PSG exiting at the Round of 16 stage in the following two seasons.
Interestingly, in the absence of Messi in the 2023/24 season, PSG managed to reach the semi-finals once again.
This suggests that while Messi undoubtedly brought star power and talent to the team, but his presence probably did not allow other players to step up and contribute to PSG's European journey.