Lionel Messi arrived two years ago wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with “Ici C’est Paris” (This Is Paris) — a favourite cry among Paris Saint-Germain fans — and to chants of “Messi! Messi! Messi!”
The superstar of world football will leave the team not quite so revered.
The cheers have been replaced by jeers and boos in recent weeks at the Parc des Princes, where the World Cup winner will play his final game for the French league champion.
READ MORE: Blues star taken to hospital ‘coughing up blood’
READ MORE: Legend stunned as De Minaur leaves Aussies stranded
READ MORE: Suncorp miracle only thing that can save Fittler
Christophe Galtier confirmed the looming end of the season is also the end of Messi’s time at PSG.
Watch the 2023 UEFA Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan on June 11, streaming ad free, live and exclusive on Stan Sport
Messi will bow out in their league finale against Clermont. His contract expires at the end of June.
“I had the privilege of coaching the best player in the history of football,” Galtier said. “This will be his last match at the Parc des Princes, and I hope that he will receive the warmest of welcomes.”
PSG recruited Messi in August of 2021 with the ambition to finally win the Champions League. The team is still waiting.
Although PSG won its record-extending 11th French league title last weekend, it exited Europe’s top tournament in the round of 16 for the second straight season.
Messi’s adventure in France has been bittersweet. In spite of pretty good statistics, he has been embodying the team’s shortcomings in the view of many PSG fans who have repeatedly whistled his name sarcastically in recent weeks.
After struggling to adapt to the French league — the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner scored only six league goals in his first 26 games — Messi improved this season as he developed an efficient understanding with forward Kylian Mbappe.
Following a good start to the current campaign, Messi however failed to replicate that form since returning from the World Cup that he won with Argentina.
Still, in 31 league matches, the 35-year-old Messi has scored 16 goals and delivered as many assists. In all competitions, Messi netted 21 times and had 20 assists for PSG.
“This year, he has been an important part of the team, always available, always committed during training sessions,” Galtier said. “I don’t think any of the comments or criticisms are justified.”
Despite Galtier’s support, PSG’s appreciation of Messi has not always been so positive.
Last month, the club suspended him following an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia. Messi has a commercial contract with Saudi Arabia to promote tourism and has been linked with a lucrative move there at the end of the season.
There has also been talk of a return to Barcelona, where he spent the majority of his career, or to the United States to play in MLS.
Messi arrived at Barcelona at age 13 and left having won 35 titles. He helped the club win the four Champions Leagues, 10 Spanish leagues, and seven Copa del Reys.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
Sport’s highest earners per Instagram post
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
