Lionel Messi and his relationship with Paris Saint-Germain supporters has become toxic as part of the fan base has booed the Argentine in the last two home matches, both resulting in losses.
While former players such as Emmanuel Petit and Thierry Henry have come to the defense of the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner, but so has the Argentine, most notably the newspaper La Nacion (h/t RMC Sport).
“Upon his arrival at PSG in August 2021, Lionel Messi ensured that Paris, the least footballing capital of the major cities in the world, filled its streets with supporters to welcome him,” La Nacion wrote. “A crowd accompanied his landing at the airport in the center of a city that vibrates for other arts and which has rugby as its most traditional sport …
“Messi has three months ahead of him to think about what he is going to do. Paris has become hostile to him and the sky of Barcelona, behind the paradise he was promised, is overcast.”
The 35-year-old’s contract expires in June and as a result, there’s plenty of speculation regarding his future. Messi and PSG are reportedly discussing an extension, but the latest information out of France suggests that a divorce between the two is likely.
FC Barcelona remains an option as the Spanish club wants to reunite with the veteran goal scorer; however, their financial situation presents a significant hurdle, so they’re speaking with sponsors to help facilitate a reunion. Whether that happens or not remains to be seen.