Luis Suarez claims Lionel Messi "suffers a lot" with the cold weather in France after having private chats with the Paris Saint-Germain superstar about how he is settling into his new surroundings.
Messi joined PSG on a free transfer following his surprise departure from Barcelona in the summer, with the Spanish giants forced to let their club captain go after 21 years due to a financial crisis.
The Argentine established himself among the best players in history during his time at Camp Nou but has been unable to hit the ground running at Parc des Princes, with Suarez now revealing the change in climate has been a factor in his below-par performances.
What's been said?
The Atletico Madrid striker, who played alongside Messi at Barca between 2014 and 2022, told TNT Sports: "We talk every day, we always try to avoid expectations because we are players and we know how we have to act in those moments, we talk about the games, about the family.
“He told me that when he is playing in the cold, he suffers a lot and with the snow. You have to get used to what the cold weather there is like."
Messi's slow start at PSG
Messi's debut for PSG had to be delayed due to the short turnaround between the start of the 2021-22 season and the end of the Copa America, in which he helped Argentina land the first international trophy of his career.
The 34-year-old has only managed four goals and three assists in his first 12 outings for Mauricio Pochettino's side, including just one in Ligue 1.
Messi's latest blank came during the 1-1 draw with Lens, but he will likely have the chance to improve his tally when PSG take on Club Brugge in the Champions League on Tuesday.