When PSG plays Rennes at home in League 1, the crowd cheers for Lionel Messi

On March 19, during Paris Saint-League Germain’s 1 match against Rennes, Lionel Messi encountered a hostile atmosphere. When Messi’s name was spoken at the Parc des Princes stadium prior to the event, some of the home fans could be heard booing and whistling the Argentine. The Parisian club’s Ultras supporters continued to boo manager Christophe Galtier in a loud chant. When asked about the cause of the jeers, the spectators mentioned PSG’s ignominious exit from the UEFA Champions League. In the two-leg Round of 16 matches, Bayern Munich smashed them, defeating the dominant French club 3-0.

The manager of PSG, Christophe Galtier, defended his team following their elimination from the Champions League. Galtier acknowledged Bayern Munich’s exceptional form as the primary factor behind the loss. In a press conference before the Rennes match, Galtier requested the fans not to criticize the players, stating that they gave their best in the tournament. He stated, as per RMC Sport, “There is no justification for booing the players. They put in their best efforts in this competition. We were knocked out because Bayern Munich was in much better shape than us.”

The fans were already extremely upset about the club’s performance in major tournaments, and PSG’s loss to Rennes only added to their frustration. Despite dominating possession, the hosts suffered a 2-0 defeat, with Karl Toko Ekambi and Arnaud Kalimuendo scoring for Rennes in the first five minutes of the second half.

After the game, PSG players applauded the home fans, but Lionel Messi did not join them. In a video shared on Twitter, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was seen walking into the tunnel with his head down, apparently frustrated by the team’s recent form. The footage quickly went viral, and fans began speculating about Messi’s future at the club.

The last year of Lionel Messi’s two-year deal with PSG is about to end. In the summer of 2021, the 35-year-old moved his home to France after signing with the Parisian club for a £25 million signing bonus. According to the agreement, Messi will be available for transfer in the forthcoming window. Fans are anticipating the Argentine’s likely transfer to his previous club Barcelona because PSG has not officially announced that it would renew the player’s contract. Due to structural and budgetary restrictions, the Spanish club was unable to retain Messi.

Even if Lionel Messi hasn’t helped PSG in the UEFA tournament, he is unquestionably a standout member of the team. The Argentina captain currently wears the PSG jersey and has tallied 18 goals and 17 assists across all competitions. On April 3, Messi will play in his next League 1 assignment against Lyon.