The booing of Lionel Messi at his final match for Paris Saint-Germain has been branded "lamentable" as the Argentine superstar decides on his next move.
The Qatari-owned club suffered a 2-3 home defeat in their last Ligue 1 match of the season at the Parc des Princes. 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 before, during and after the match at the end of two difficult seasons in the French capital. The Paris club have won the title in both years - last season with Mauricio Pochettino in charge - but failed to get beyond the last 16 in the Champions League.
Messi was also suspended for two weeks in April - later reduced to one week - for an unauthorised sponsorship trip to Saudi Arabia. France 1998 winner Bixente Lizarazu told Telefoot: “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 again was top scorer with 29 - and proved 16 assits in a season where he also won the World Cup in Qatar. Outgoing coach Christophe Galtier, who was also booed before his departure after only one season, said: "Concerning Leo, I find that the whistles are very hard. Like the season, there have been good periods, less good periods.
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"Maybe in a few weeks I will find the origin of Leo's treatment, because he has always been well behaved. He is the greatest player in the history of football. He has interesting statistics, in a season where he played a lot. Leo had a great season. I dare to hope that people will analyse it coldly, with a little more thought."
PSG will look to build a young team around Mbappe with Jose Mourinho and Luis Enrique on the coach shortlist if Zinedine Zidane cannot be lured to the French capital. Messi, who turns 36 later this month, has the choice between a $400m offer from Saudi Arabia and a three-year deal with David Beckham ’s Inter Miami in the MLS.
Barcelona are currently unable to offer him a deal, or even know if they can register him as a player, because of the financial problems at the Camp Nou.
