‘It’s a Shame’ – Udinese Defender Nehuén Pérez Calls Out PSG Supporters for Booing Lionel Messi

Over the past week, the football media discussed Lionel Messi’s booing last weekend at the Parc des Princes from the Paris Saint-Germain supporters following the capital club’s UEFA Champions League elimination against Real Madrid.

Pundits, former players, and current ones are chiming in on the actions by the supporters last weekend. Some have agreed with what they did, booing everyone that wasn’t Kylian Mbappé. 

Meanwhile, others don’t appreciate seeing Messi being booed, one of them is the current center-back from Udinese, Nehuén Pérez, who has played alongside Messi with the Argentina national team. 

During an appearance on ESPN Argentina (via Foot Mercato), Pérez stated that it was a shame that Messi had to endure that reaction from the crowd at the stadium. 

“I saw what happened after on social media. I’m not sure what to say; it’s a shame what they did; there’s nothing else to say. Messi is our idol, that we do this to him, it’s a shame,” Pérez said.

Messi has struggled to adapt to French football this season despite racking up the assist, but the 34-year-old hasn’t been able to find his scoring boots consistently and wasn’t much of a factor in the two legs versus Real Madrid. 

Tags Lionel Messi Nehuén Pérez Udinese Calcio

3 Comments

  1. While m nt a football expert i can clearly see one of the reason for messi’s struggle is that psg team members dont give him pass even when he is open and go for individual glory… bit sure if a novice like me can notice why is psg mgmnt noticing and correcting the situation

    1. Spot on mate.
      While Leo has not been scoring as per his exemplary standards, he’s also been terribly unlucky to begin with. How else can one explain Messi hitting the woodwork 10 times (!!) in a season?

      Also, PSG team over the years has been moulded to look for Mbappe and use his speed and finishing skills to score goals. This has worked well for them for most part. So most of their attacks progress from the left wing which isolates Messi on the RW.

      As you pointed out, a lot of times Messi doesn’t receive the final pass even when he’s goal side. He hardly receives the ball inside/near 18 yd box.

      As a result, Messi started playing more as a creater/provider by dropping deeper to receive the ball and then create chances for Mbappe & Neymar if he’s available.

      Messi has almost stopped taking shots on goal in the last few matches because he’s playing way too deep.

      I don’t think Poch is capable of optimising Messi’s scoring output by tweaking the system.

      I can only hope that PSG get a better coach who knows how to use his resources better next season.

  2. How cn psg fans think messi can do well without knowing how d player play,if u no him messi wil do anything,score pass even the marking.for psg is like u hav a great thing but u dnt no how to use it

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