Lionel Messi and Neymar show true colours after fans turned on PSG stars

15 February 2023 , 10:15

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Lionel Messi and Neymar made the effort to approach unhappy PSG fans after their Champions League defeat (Image: FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Paris Saint-Germain boast an embarrassment of riches in their squad - but it is safe to say there is trouble in paradise.

The French giants have endured a miserable run of form with just two wins in their last eight games. They were beaten 1-0 by Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie leaving their European dreams hanging by a thread.

In the build-up to the game, discontent was already apparent surrounding the club. After being beaten 3-1 at Monaco at the weekend, fans voiced their displeasure and defender Presnel Kimpembe took to a megaphone to apologise on behalf of the team.

The following day, a number of fans lined the road into their training ground and booed players as they made their way in to prepare to face Bayern with supporters growing tired of their underachievement. There was again displeasure voiced by their ultras at the Parc des Princes after another below-par display against Bayern.

However, rather than avoid confronting the anger directed towards them, Lionel Messi and Neymar were amongst those to make an effort to approach the fans and thank them for their support. Whilst Neymar in particular has been the focus of plenty of scrutiny, the pair led a group of players in staying behind to show their appreciation for the club's fans despite the difficult situation they currently find themselves in.

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PSG suffered another miserable Champions League night against Bayern Munich (AP)

It comes after Neymar was involved in a clash with sporting director Luis Campos and voiced his displeasure at some teammates after the weekend defeat to Monaco. In the wake of the discontent, Kylian Mbappe took to social media to urge his teammates to "stay strong and united".

PSG will now head to Germany for the second leg on March 8 looking to turn things around. Speaking after the game, Mbappe insisted they can still progress - as long as they "quickly move on" from their disappointment.

"You have to remember the end [of tonight’s game]. We can put them in difficulty on what I saw," Mbappe said.

Presnel Kimpembe apologised to unhappy fans after their defeat to Monaco at the weekend (Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

"Everyone just needs to be healthy, eat well and sleep well. When we have our team, we can put them in difficulty and they are not comfortable. We will go there to win and qualify. Let’s quickly move on."

Defender Sergio Ramos told RMC Sport: "I’m very disappointed for the supporters, but they were here. We’ll have to show more character in the second leg, and more verticality.

"We want to win and be the best we can be, but this is the nature of football. Sometimes we play well, sometimes we play badly. What counts is the final result. The more we play, the more we’ll have experience. It will get better and better."

Rich Jones