23 June 2023 , 22:02
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Lionel Messi has broken his silence on the rollercoaster relationship he endured with Paris Saint-Germain supporters by admitting there was a “rift” at the Parc des Princes.
The Argentine superstar arrived in the French capital in the summer of 2021 following his shock exit from Barcelona. Messi was welcomed with plenty of acclaim - a huge amount of fans turned out to watch his official unveiling.
Things did not go to plan for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner. He scored just six league goals in his debut campaign and then failed to push PSG towards their first-ever Champions League win.
He was roundly booed by supporters at the Parc des Princes, something that got worse during his second campaign. The French giants once again failed on the European front, whilst the criticism that Messi received then got even worse.
He helped Argentina to a World Cup victory against France, whilst supporters protested at the club’s headquarters after he was suspended and fined by the club after an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia.
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Messi has now opened up on the relationship that he endured with supporters but has claimed that he is not alone, with former team-mates Neymar and Kylian Mbappe facing a similar issue.
Lionel Messi endured rough treatment during his time in Paris (Getty Images)Was Lionel Messi a success with PSG? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Speaking to RMC Sport, he said: "At first it was great, I received a lot of encouragement as I've often said, but then people started to treat me differently, some of the Paris fans. The majority, on the other hand, treated me as well as they did at the start.
“There was a rift with a large section of the Paris crowd. Of course it wasn't my intention.
“But these are things that have already happened with Mbappé and Neymar too, it's their way of doing things. But I still remember all those people who supported me, as they did at the start."
Messi will certainly hope to have a better relationship with fans of his new club following his PSG exit. The Argentine has quit the club at the end of his contract and has joined MLS outfit Inter Miami.
His former PSG teammate and international colleague Leandro Paredes has admitted that he was at a loss over Messi’s treatment in France. When asked by TyC Sports for insight into the treatment PSG players during this period he said: “I don’t know, I had to spend four years in Paris and I enjoyed it a lot.
“We played important things, we were very close to winning the Champions League, but afterward, I can’t explain why the treatment and reaction towards us.”
Messi is expected to make his debut for Inter Miami in July with the MLS season already up and running.