"Leo is a player who gives a lot" - PSG boss Christophe Galtier unhappy with fans booing Lionel Messi, claims it's 'very harsh'
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) manager Christopher Galtier has hit out at fans who booed Lionel Messi in the defeat at home to Lyon on Sunday, claiming that Messi has been an exemplary team player.
Messi was subjected to jeers when his name was announced in the line-up to take on Lyon in Ligue 1 on Sunday night (April 2). It marked the second time the 2022 World Cup winner was booed at home; he also got jeered in the 2-0 defeat to Rennes on March 19.
Messi tried to make things happen for PSG against Lyon, but the visitors held firm to clinch a 1-0 win at the Parc des Princes. After the Parisians’ second straightr home defeat, Galtier shared his disappointment over fans’ treatment of Messi. The Frenchman said on Canal TV+ (via PSGhub):
“Whistles against Leo Messi are very harsh. Leo is a player who gives a lot. He also gave a lot in the first part of the season. but it is also up to other players to have more functions.”
The 35-year-old was one of Les Parisiens’ best performers in the loss to Lyon. He created a team-high five chances, completed four dribbles, delivered five accurate crosses and won two tackles.
Thierry Henry says fans 'can’t whistle' one of PSG’s best players, backs Lionel Messi to return to Barcelona
Fans and a few French journalists have heavily criticised Lionel Messi following PSG’s Champions League Round of 16 exit to Bayern Munich in March. The Barcelona legend failed to do anything of note as the French champions suffered a 3-0 aggregate defeat.
After fans booed Messi against Lyon, France legend Thierry Henry jumped to the Argentina superstar’s defence, saying that it's wrong to jeer one of the team’s best players.
Henry told Amazon Prime after the game:
“It’s embarrassing to hear whistles from the Parc. You can’t whistle one of the best players in the team, who has 13 goals and 13 assists this season (in Ligue 1).”
Henry also backed Messi to return to Barcelona in the summer.
“Personally, I would like to see him finish his career at Barcelona, in Europe. For the love of football, he should go back to Barcelona.”
As confirmed by Barcelona boss Xavi himself, the Blaugrana are in talks with Messi’s camp over the player's possible return to the Camp Nou. La Pulga’s contract with PSG ends in June, but he's yet to greenlight an extension.