Messi admits his relationship with PSG fans is cracked
Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi did not leave Paris Saint-Germain easily. Messi admits that his relationship with PSG fans is fractured.
Messi was greeted like a hero when he hooked PSG in the summer of 2021. The arrival of the iconic former Barcelona player was also accompanied by great expectations, namely to lead Les Parisiens to win the Champions League.
Overall Messi has recorded 32 goals and 35 assists in PSG's 75 matches in all competitions. It's a shame, since Messi has strengthened PSG, they have slumped after failing in the round of 16 twice in a row.
After PSG's failure in the Champions League this season, some fans no longer love Lionel Messi as much as before. The 36-year-old striker often hears jeers from his own fans in the middle of matches.
PSG fans also stormed the club headquarters to protest against Messi after being fined for making an unauthorized visit to Saudi Arabia after the 2022 World Cup. Messi claims that Neymar and Kylian Mbappe also had similar experiences with PSG fans.
"At first it was nice, I received a lot of encouragement as I often say, but then people started to treat me differently, some Paris fans," Messi was quoted as saying by RMC Sport.
"The fans, on the other hand, treated me as well as in the beginning. There was indeed a rift with a large part of the Paris fans. Of course that was not my intention. However, these things have happened with Mbappe and Neymar as well."
"That's how they do things. However, I still remember everyone who supported me, as they did at the beginning," added Messi, who will strengthen Inter Miami next season.
Messi Akui Hubungannya dengan Fans PSG Retak
Megabintang Argentina Lionel Messi tidak meninggalkan Paris Saint-Germain dengan mulus. Messi mengakui hubungannya dengan suporter PSG mengalami keretakan.
Messi disambut bak pahlawan saat digaet PSG pada musim panas 2021. Kedatangan mantan pemain ikonik Barcelona itu turut dibarengi dengan ekspektasi besar, yakni membawa Les Parisiens memenangi Liga Champions.
Secara keseluruhan Messi telah membukukan 32 gol dan 35 assist dalam 75 pertandingan PSG di semua kompetisi. Sayang sekali, sejak diperkuat Messi PSG justru terpuruk usai kandas di babak 16 besar dua kali berturut-turut.
Setelah kegagalan PSG di Liga Champions musim ini, sebagian fans tidak lagi sesayang dulu kepada Lionel Messi. Penyerang berusia 36 tahun itu kerap mendengar cemoohan dari suporternya sendiri di tengah-tengah pertandingan.
Suporter PSG juga menggeruduk markas klub untuk memprotes Messi setelah didenda akibat melakukan kunjungan tanpa izin ke Arab Saudi pasca Piala Dunia 2022. Messi mengklaim bahwa Neymar dan Kylian Mbappe juga mendapatkan pengalaman yang mirip dengan suporter PSG.
"Awalnya menyenangkan, aku menerima banyak sekali pemberian semangat seperti yang sering kukatakan, tapi kemudian orang-orang mulai memperlakukanku dengan berbeda, sejumlah fans Paris," ungkap Messi dikutip RMC Sport.
"Sebagaian fans, di sisi lain, memperlakukanku dengan baik seperti di awal. Memang ada sebuah keretakan dengan sebuah sebagian besar dari suporter Paris. Tentu saja niatku bukan begitu. Namun, hal-hal semacam ini pernah terjadi dengan Mbappe dan Neymar juga."
"Begitulah cara mereka melakukan banyak hal. Namun, aku masih ingat semua orang yang mendukungku, seperti yang sudah mereka lakukan di awal," imbuh Messi, yang akan memperkuat Inter Miami di musim depan.