In his first game back after his unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia, LIONEL MESSI was jeered by Paris Saint-Germain supporters.
The Argentine icon skipped practice so that he could travel to the Middle East with his family. PSG subsequently punished Messi with a ban for the unauthorized trip, albeit they eventually changed their minds.
The 35-year-old received jeers and whistles from some of the team’s supporters during his first game back following the incident in their 5-0 victory against Ajaccio. Danilo Pereira, a comrade, expressed his sadness about the crowd’s response, saying:
“The context is terrible, it stings to witness a teammate being booed.”
“If we have to whistle, then we have to whistle the whole team.”
Messi travelled to Saudi Arabia to fulfil commercial work as he’s an ambassador for the country’s tourism board.
Since agreeing the £25million deal last year, he had only been to the nation once.
Messi’s contract at PSG ends this summer and despite the club having the option to renew it for one-year, he reportedly wants to leave and club are understood to be happy for him to go.
He has been linked with a return to Barcelona, where he spent 21 years, winning ten LaLiga titles and four Champions Leagues.