Lionel Messi Receives Mixed Reception at Parc des Princes After Suspension for Unauthorised Trip

Lionel Messi returned to the Parc des Princes with a 5-0 victory for Paris Saint-Germain against AC Ajaccio in Ligue 1. However, his comeback was met with mixed reactions from the crowd.

The Argentine superstar was included in the starting lineup by Christophe Galtier, but a section of the crowd jeered him after his suspension for the unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia. The ultras were notably absent due to an ongoing fracture with the club, and when Messi’s name was called out before kick-off, boos from some spectators rippled through the stadium.

Despite this negative reception, many fans welcomed Messi back with open arms, singing his name and applauding his efforts during the match. He provided a key assist for Kylian Mbappé’s fourth goal, with several members of the crowd responding with cheers and appreciation.

Commenting on the incident afterwards, Messi said: “It was normal to receive some criticism because I made a mistake, but I was also encouraged by the applause and the cheers from some of the fans. It’s part of football”.

Schedule, 17 may, Wednesday, 6:30 am

Overall, Messi’s return to the Parc des Princes was marked with both jeers and cheers, reflecting how polarized opinions still remain about his conduct during his unauthorised trip. While the Argentine superstar is keen to move past this incident and focus on his football, it’s clear that he still has work to do in order to regain the full support of some PSG fans.