I’LL GET ME GOAT
Fury as Paris fans BOO Messi before, during and after farewell appearance
THE booing of Lionel Messi at his final match for Paris Saintgermain has been branded “lamentable” as the Argentine superstar decides on his next move.
The Qatari-owned club suffered a 3-2 home defeat in their last Ligue 1 match of the season.
Post-match celebrations for their 11th title were subdued, with reserve keeper Sergio Rico in hospital in Spain following a riding accident. But that did not stop PSG fans jeering and booing Messi (right) before, during and after the match at the end of his two difficult seasons in the French capital.
The Paris club won the title both years – last season with Mauricio Pochettino in charge – but failed to get beyond the last 16 in the Champions
League. Messi was suspended for two weeks, later reduced to one week, for an unauthorised sponsorship trip to Saudi Arabia.
France ‘98 winner Bixente Lizarazu said: “It is lamentable at his last match. He is the best player in the world over the last 20 years. He is a World Cup winner and he has had a good season. I cannot understand it.”
Messi scored 16 Ligue 1 goals (Kylian Mbappe was again top scorer with 29) and provided 16 assists during a season in which he also won the World Cup in Qatar. Outgoing coach Christophe Galtier, who was also booed before his departure after only one season, said: “Maybe in a few weeks I will find the origin of Leo’s treatment. He is the greatest player in the history of football. Leo had a great season.”
Jose Mourinho and Luis Enrique are on the PSG manager shortlist but
Julian Nagelsmann is favourite, with
Thierry Henry a likely No.2
Messi, who turns
36 this month, has the choice between a $400million offer from Saudi Arabia and a three-year deal with David Beckham’s Inter Miami in the MLS.