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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matthew Cooper

Lionel Messi booed by PSG fans ahead of final game for French champions

Paris Saint-Germain fans vociferously booed Lionel Messi ahead of his final game for the Ligue 1 champions.

Messi has spent two seasons at PSG, joining the club in 2021 on a free transfer after Barcelona's financial woes meant they could not afford to renew his contract. The Argentine superstar has scored a total of 32 goals in 74 appearances across all competitions, helping PSG win back-to-back league titles and a Trophée des Champions.

However, the French giants have failed to compete in the Champions League despite boasting a potential forward line of Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. In Messi's two seasons at PSG, they have crashed out of the Champions League in the last 16 with defeats to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

And Messi's relationship with the fans has soured, with the forward initially receiving grief after returning from the World Cup where he captained Argentina to victory over France in the final. He was then suspended by the club after making an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia.

Ahead of PSG's final league game of the season against Clermont Foot, manager Christophe Galtier confirmed it would be Messi's final game for the club. Speaking in a press conference, Galtier said: "I had a privilege of coaching the best player in the history of football.

"It will be Leo's last match at the Parc des Princes against Clermont." Messi was named in the starting line-up for the match, but was booed by PSG supporters when his name was read out before kick-off.

Messi's next move is yet to be decided, but Barcelona boss Xavi has admitted he is desperate for him to return to Spain. "Our priority is clear. I would really like Leo to return," Xavi said.

"He knows it, I have spoken with him. It depends on him. Leo is our priority and another is a high-level defensive midfielder. And other priorities, but these are the more important."

Messi is also said to have a hugely lucrative contract offer on the table from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal which would see him earn more than double what Cristiano Ronaldo banks at Al-Nassr. David Beckham's MLS side Inter Miami have also been linked with a swoop for Messi.

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