Javier Pastore says Paris Saint-Germain’s rise to the top of European football was the result of a project mapped out from the moment he became the club’s first marquee signing in 2011.
The former Argentina and PSG playmaker joined the French club at the start of its modern era, before the arrivals of Thiago Silva, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ezequiel Lavezzi and a succession of global stars.
“From the start, you could see the ambition of the board, the president and the Qatari group,” Pastore told Flashscore. “They wanted to build a club capable of winning the Champions League, with a world-class training centre, a redeveloped stadium and a squad to compete at the highest level.”
Pastore, 36, said PSG’s development had extended beyond the pitch, with the club’s infrastructure and training facilities growing alongside its teams.
“Over the last 15 years, the club has grown exponentially and now sits at the top table alongside the biggest clubs in Europe and world football,” he said.
During his time in Paris, PSG repeatedly fell in the Champions League quarter-finals. Pastore believes injuries, narrow margins and stronger opponents prevented them from going further, although he feels the foundations for the club’s later success were already in place.
He highlighted a 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, in which PSG played almost the entire match with 10 men, as his proudest moment with the club.
“It was an incredible emotional high to show that character and advance against a top side,” he said.
Pastore also credited his early years at Palermo with preparing him for European football. He moved there aged 19 and described the city, supporters and dressing room as central to his development.
He praised manager Delio Rossi, former president Maurizio Zamparini and sporting director Walter Sabatini, whom he described as a confidant, father figure, uncle and director of football.
“Those two years in Palermo were magnificent, both on the pitch and in life,” Pastore said.
The elegant number 10 later played for Roma, but a hip injury restricted his impact and eventually contributed to his retirement several years later. He remains disappointed that he could not give the club and its supporters more.
“Roma is a club and a city that lives and breathes football,” he said. “My family and I loved living there, and the warmth of the people made it even harder not to repay that love fully on the pitch.”
Pastore believes the current Roma side has the squad depth, unity and managerial leadership to compete domestically and in Europe, while the packed Stadio Olimpico provides a powerful environment.
He also reflected on his years alongside Lionel Messi in the Argentina set-up. Pastore said Messi initially led through his performances before becoming increasingly vocal in the dressing room.
“He did not need to shout. We knew that when he stepped on to the pitch, he would win us matches,” Pastore said. “Away from football, he is quiet, relaxed and down to earth, and we have maintained a great friendship.”
Pastore described Messi’s legacy with the Argentina shirt as already immortal, placing him alongside Diego Maradona at the summit of Argentine football. He said generations of players would be motivated by following in the footsteps of Mario Kempes, Maradona and Messi.
The former player has now moved into football agency after studying for more than two years and completing FIFA and UEFA qualifications. His experience of different leagues, injuries, contracts and transfers has encouraged him to mentor younger players.
He looks beyond talent when assessing prospects, prioritising professionalism, character, work ethic and the desire to improve. Pastore says his role is to match players with the right club, league, tactical system and manager rather than simply pursue the biggest name or financial offer.
He cited his own move to Palermo as an example of taking an intermediate step before joining an elite club, warning that young players can lose vital development years by moving too quickly.
Pastore’s agency represents Enzo Fernandez, with whom he says he formed an immediate relationship after the midfielder had spoken to more than 10 agents following his departure from his previous representative.
At a three-hour lunch in Argentina, Fernandez told Pastore he wanted to work with him.
“He demands a lot, but he also wants a second opinion,” Pastore said. “I am very happy to work with him. He has taken an important step in his career, changed teams by going to Manchester City and is one of the most important players in the Argentina national team.”
Pastore says the central challenge for agents is finding the right environment for a player’s talent to develop without being rushed. That means examining the manager’s system, the club’s culture, competition for places and its long-term plan.
“Providing clarity, protection and sound strategic direction is the hardest and most rewarding part of the job,” he said.