PSG Fan Jeers Push Lionel Messi Closer To FC Barcelona Return

A frosty reception from Paris Saint Germain fans laden with jeers has pushed Lionel Messi further out of the club and closer to a return to FC Barcelona or the MLS, according to reports.

As shown in a viral clip, Messi’s name was booed when the starting line up was read out ahead of PSG’s Ligue 1 meeting with Rennes at the Parc des Princes on Sunday .

This was due to the Qatari-backed giants’ latest premature exit from the Champions League, which Messi is being held partly responsible for. On Wednesday, they were turfed out of Europe’s premier club competition by Bayern Munich at the last 16 stage yet again, after also falling at the same hurdle to eventual winners Real Madrid in Messi’s first season last term.

Messi’s afternoon in Paris worsened as his team were felled 2-0 by visiting Rennes. As El Nacional points out, the Argentine did not stay to greet the home support that had booed him, and instead headed straight to the locker room at full time.

The Catalan digital newspaper said that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was “upset with the fans”, and left the pitch with a “very serious face”.

With Messi reportedly refusing to renew his contract with PSG, and exercise the option of an additional year there inserted into his contract when he joined from FC Barcelona in 2021, all this pushes him closer to a return to Camp Nou after June 30 once he becomes a free agent again.

This won’t be straightforward, however, as is well known. The Catalans are currently mired in debts, and have been publicly warned by La Liga president Javier Tebas to shave €200 million ($214.6 million) from the wage bill.

Tebas’ Barca counterpart Joan Laporta is said to have tabled a “final offer” to Messi’s camp led by his father and agent Jorge Messi, which would entail him being paid €200,000 ($214,600) a year and then the proceeds of his farewell match which could bring in up to €100 million ($107 million).

After El Clasico, Messi’s former teammate Sergi Roberto opened the door to the iconic number ’10’ coming back to where it all started as a shy 13-year-old with growth problems.

“Who wouldn’t be ready for Leo’s return?” goalscorer Roberto asked rhetorically following the 2-1 win over Real Madrid. “We don’t want to talk too much because that’s something the coach [and] the president have to decide… But we, the players, are already waiting for him with open arms.”

“He is a spectacular player and we will treat him very well here if he comes,” Roberto vowed.

It is said that Messi will not play for another European club in his storied career if Barca’s door “cannot be opened”, however. Rather than wearing the shirt of Newell’s Old Boys in his hometown of Rosario, the forward is believed to like the option of representing Inter Miami in the MLS the most where he would not face the pressure he is being forced to endure in Paris.

Each passing week, it seems more certain that Messi’s future lies out of the French capital.