UPDATED 5/3/23, 4:59 p.m. ET: Messi wasn’t the only one who caught the ire of PSG fans. The Argentine’s teammate Neymar, who has been out with an injury, was also called out for some reason with fans heading to the star’s house to do some chanting.
See original story below.
Following the news of Lionel Messi’s impending exit from Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the current season, fans began protesting outside the club’s headquarters.
In videos circulating on social media, fans of the French football club appear less than thrilled about the reports of the Argentine player’s plans, which come one day after he was suspended for two weeks without pay for an unauthorized visit to Saudi Arabia. “Messi, les fils de pute,” the fans could be heard chanting, which translates to, “Messi, son of a bitch.”
Per The Guardian, the gathering outside of the PSG headquarters comes as it was reported Messi plans to leave the team this summer. News of his impending departure came courtesy of Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The 35-year-old Messi, who helped lead his native Argentina to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, could potentially end up back at Barcelona, where he spent his career from 2004 to 2021. The club would be forced to agree to a deal that meets La Liga’s financial fair play rules, however. Other potential teams include Inter Miami CF, and Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, who reportedly offered him a huge salary incentive. Romano reports that Al Hilal offered Messi a whopping €400 million Euros a year.
That would instantly make Messi the highest-paid player in the world.