Before Paris Saint-Germain’s contest against Olympique Lyonnais, Lionel Messi was booed by supporters when the public address announcer said his name while announcing the starting 11.
While the French media has been ruthless with their criticism of Messi, former France international Emmanuel Petit isn’t a fan of the booing that the Argentine received on Sunday night at the Parc des Princes.
“When I hear that, for me, it’s an insult to football,” Petit said on RMC Sport. “I know that today there is only a pack of dogs who only think of drooling on Neymar and Messi … If I have any advice for Messi: Get out of this club! This club is not a football club. It’s a pre-retirement club, even for 20-year-old players. No player has progressed since joining PSG. Is it Messi’s fault? He’s a maestro with a stick; it’s up to him to have players around him who make the effort.
🗣️ 💬 "C'est une insulte au football !"
💢 L'ÉNORME prise de position d'Emmanuel Petit après les sifflets contre Lionel Messi au Parc des Princes. pic.twitter.com/UmhGYFBB8t
— Rothen s'enflamme (@Rothensenflamme) April 3, 2023
“The Verratti etc … who always ask for the ball at their feet and never make a call. Galtier is right when he says that it is up to others to do this supersession. Only Parisian supporters don’t realize that you need to have a squad around Messi, something they don’t have and won’t have because they (the leaders) are bogus in their recruitment.”
Petit has a point that PSG’s recruiting has been abysmal and the first summer transfer window under sporting advisor Luis Campos has been a bag of mixed results. Although Campos did have to navigate the capital club’s financial situation that ex-sporting director Leonardo left behind.
Nonetheless, booing, while some may or may disagree with it, is an acceptable way for some supporters to show their displeasure as long as there’s no harassment of Messi. While the 35-year-old is arguably the GOAT, great players have been booed in other sports.
With Messi’s contract expiring in June, it might be best for all involved to part ways and allow the Argentine to either return to FC Barcelona or perhaps begin his post-European career by signing with MLS side Inter Miami.
