Argentinian winger Angel Di Maria sees a bright future for Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain after Mauricio Pochettino's exit

Following the expected departure of manager Mauricio Pochettino, Angel Di Maria believes Lionel Messi will flourish at Paris Saint-Germain next season. He predicts a good season for his compatriot in 2022-23.

Juventus are now holding crunch talks with Di Maria after announcing his intention to leave the club. It has been seven seasons since Di Maria joined the club, during which he scored 92 goals in 295 matches. 

In addition to the Ligue 1, he won five Coupe de France titles and four Coupe de la Ligue. However, despite reaching at least the semi-finals three times with the club, the 34-year-old never won the Champions League.

Despite his departure from the French capital, Di Maria remains optimistic about the future in the French capital, where Argentina star Messi will be entering his second season.

For much of Messi's debut season, Paris Saint-Germain's attack could not reach its top gear due to illness and injuries, and the club could now look for a new head coach who could right the ship.

Angel Di Maria on Lionel Messi's future in the club

"It seems like they also want the coach to leave," Di Maria said. "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 continued. 

There are rumours that current Roma boss Jose Mourinho could replace Pochettino.

The 2017-18 season was Di Maria's and PSG's most disappointing in recent memory, despite winning another domestic crown.

The French club failed to win any domestic cups and was knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16 by Real Madrid.

Since his transfer from Barcelona to Ligue 1, Messi has scored six goals and produced 14 assists in 26 matches.

His goal output was criticized, but his chance creation ranked among the best in Europe, and his late-season form offered hope for the coming season.

Over the past two weeks, he has also been impressive for Argentina, playing in the Finalissima and scoring five goals in a friendly with Estonia.

Jose Mourinho hailed Lionel Messi

Although the possibility of a move to France isn't guaranteed, Mourinho will undoubtedly be intrigued by the idea of directing the best in the world again.

If the deal goes through, the Special One would likely finally get the chance to oversee Lionel Messi for the first time in his career.

As Real Madrid boss, Mourinho mentored Messi's arch-rival, Cristiano Ronaldo. At the time, he supported his fellow countryman as being the superior player over the Argentine superstar.

But, he has been known to praise Messi and did the same thing when he declared the Argentine star the football god.

In May 2019, Mourinho praised Messi yet again, saying: "Messi is Messi". I'm not saying he's 'The Special One' of this week because he's 'The Special One of all time. Mourinho added, "He is the God of football. We'll cry when he retires."