Juventus midfielder Leandro Paredes has described his summer switch to the club as a dream come true, despite his departure from Paris Saint-Germain costing him the opportunity to play regularly alongside Lionel Messi at club level.
The Argentina international sealed a switch back to Serie A in August when he signed for the Bianconeri on loan, with an option to buy, having previously represented AS Roma, Chievo, and Empoli between 2013 and 2017.
In an interview with ESPN, Paredes admitted that the timing of his move was not ideal with only a few months to prepare for the World Cup, but that it was necessary in order to secure regular playing time and a place in Argentina’s squad in Qatar.
“The decision to move clubs before the World Cup was a difficult one due to the adaptation period, and you have to make the right choice, but I needed minutes to get there in the best condition,” the 28-year-old declared.
“Both factors were important in my decision, to get more minutes and to join a great team like Juventus, which was a dream of mine.”
Paredes has featured five times for Juventus so far this season, including twice in the Champions League.
Messi and Mbappe factors
However, the ex-Zenit Saint-Petersburg midfielder admitted that leaving PSG and compatriot Messi made the decision more difficult, but ultimately he needed more playing time.
“Messi was one of the things that made me hesitate, being so close to Leo and enjoying playing with him and continuing to do so. In the end though, I decided to go to Juve because I needed more minutes,” Paredes continued.
The Argentine was less effusive of fellow PSG attacker Kylian Mbappe though, revealing that he was not close to the French star despite being a teammate since 2018.
“I cannot talk about Mbappe, I’ve had friendships with other teammates but I cannot talk about someone who I have never had a human relationship with,” Paredes concluded.
