In a career-first for Lionel Messi, the Argentinian footballer was subjected to boos and jeers by the crowd of Parc des Prince. The incident took place on Sunday, during a Ligue 1 match against Bordeaux. Along with Messi, fellow teammate Neymar was also subjected to the same treatment. 

During the first half of the match, Messi and Neymar were booed at relentlessly by the home supporters, including when they lined up for a freekick. The crowd also sarcastically cheered when Neymar’s effort went over the bar. 

Kylian Mbappe, on the other hand, who is heavily rumoured to leave PSG on a free transfer to Real Madrid, somehow escaped the wrath of the home fans. 

The incident occurred on the backdrop of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League collapse to Real Madrid last Wednesday after Karim Benzema’s hattrick kicked the French team out of the competition. 

Ahead of the match, PSG’s “Ultra” group called the Collectif Ultras Paris had released a statement on Twitter, saying:

“Our Paris Saint-Germain deserves people who serve it, not people who are served by it. Against Bordeaux on Sunday, we will show our displeasure and we ask everyone who loves this club, who will be present, to unite with our non-violent action.”

The French club has been subjected to a lot of backdoor drama recently, including an alleged dressing room bust-up between Neymar and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The pair had to be apparently be separated by teammates, following an extremely heated exchange. However, Neymar took to Instagram the next day denying that the fight had ever taken place. 

A screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation between him and Donnarumma read:

“Hi Ney. Sorry about yesterday. This news story is unacceptable,” the goalkeeper said, before Neymar responded, “No worries! That can happen in football. We’re a team, and we’re with you.”