‘We Also Mistreated Him’ – River Plate Manager Marcelo Gallardo Comments on Lionel Messi Being Booed

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - FEBRUARY 27: Marcelo Gallardo coach of River Plate looks on during a match between River Plate and Racing Club as part of Copa de la Liga 2022 at Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on February 27, 2022 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)

Lionel Messi was whistled and booed by the supporters of the Parc des Princes during Paris Saint-Germain’s 3-0 win over FC Girondins de Bordeaux.

The match was the first since the capital club crashed out of the UEFA Champions League in humiliating fashion to Real Madrid. In Argentina, the arrival of Lionel Messi at PSG has not always been well received.

Since the Argentinian forward helped his country win a trophy, which has eluded them for almost 30 years by winning the Copa América last summer, some Argentinians who were often very critical of Messi have changed and now protects him from criticism.

With the heckling making news all over the football world, River Plate coach and former PSG midfielder Marcelo Gallardo was questioned at his press conference about the whistles of the PSG ultras against Messi this past weekend.

The Argentine coach stated that Argentines should not forget how they have treated Messi in the past. “We also mistreated him. Let’s not play patriots now. Remember. Let’s have memory. [On the whistles] I totally disagree. But in football, nothing surprises me,” Gallardo said.

Tags Lionel Messi Marcelo Gallardo River Plate
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