WATCH: PSG fans boo and throw whistles at Lionel Messi during Ligue 1 clash against Lyon
Lionel Messi the victim of jeers and whistles prior to loss against Lyon
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Lionel Messi was the victim of jeers by the Parisians fans at the Parc des Princes ahead of Paris Saint-Germain’s Ligue 1 clash against Olympique Lyon. It occurred during the announcement of the starting XI. PSG supporters believe he has not lived up to expectations in Paris, as the club has failed to win the Champions League, while others directed their anger at the club through Messi.
PSG had a tough start in 2023 most recently Neymar’s injury. “The whistles, I find that hard,” said Galtier. “Leo is a player who gives a lot and who has given a lot since the start of the season. With a stroke of genius, Leo is able to deliver the right ball, provide an assist, to score a goal. I never once thought about taking him off.”
Prior to the international break, he endured a similar treatment in PSG’s unexpected home loss to Rennes, the club’s seventh defeat in all competitions since the turn of the year. It is PSG’s fifth Ligue 1 loss this season, all of them in 2023, and leaves Christophe Galtier’s side just six points ahead of both second-placed Lens and Marseille in third.
PSG faces Nice next on Sunday and will hope to get back to winning ways. With nine games remaining, the title race is far from over and wouldn’t want to bottle their chances of a major trophy after disappointing in other competitions. Messi may not feature for the club next season amidst rising tensions and heavy links to move back to Barcelona.
All of Lionel Messi’s Ligue 1 games for PSG and the numbers so far
Lionel Messi’s 50th Ligue 1 appearance was a night to forget for the Argentinian, as both he and his side suffered embarrassments. Paris Saint-Germain lost at home to mid-table Lyon in their eighth defeat of 2023. Even before the game, there was unrest in the stands as the PSG faithful whistled Messi’s name when the starting XI was announced.
Messi came to PSG with heavy expectations of a Champions League, the trophy that has eluded them despite heavy investments in the squad. In both of his seasons with the club, PSG exited the competition at the last-16 stage, but Messi boasts a more impressive record in the league. Overall he has scored 19 times and assisted 28 goals in his 50 Ligue 1 appearances.
Messi’s goalscoring underwhelmed during his first season in France, managing just six goals in 26 outings. However, he remained a potent playmaking force with 15 assists that season. The 35-year-old achieved his final career ambition while at PSG, but he did so wearing an Argentina shirt. For the duration of his time in the French capital, there have been suspicions that the 2022 World Cup was Messi’s real priority and he has not endeared himself to fans as many would have expected.
In recent days there have been renewed rumors about talks between Messi’s team and Barcelona, the club where he made his name. A switch to the MLS has been mooted as a possibility but he is unlikely to leave the top European leagues until after the Copa America in 2024. The Catalan club is now actively pursuing a deal to bring Messi back to Camp Nou.
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Arpan Ghosh
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