PSG Lose To Rennes After Lionel Messi Is Booed And Jeered By Fans

Lionel Messi was booed and jeered by Paris Saint-Germain fans at the Parc des Princes before Sunday's 2-0 loss to Rennes in Ligue 1.
PSG Lose To Rennes After Lionel Messi Is Booed And Jeered By Fans
PSG Lose To Rennes After Lionel Messi Is Booed And Jeered By Fans /

Paris Saint-Germain lost to Rennes on Sunday for the second time this season.

A 2-0 defeat at the Parc des Princes was PSG's first home defeat in Ligue 1 since 2021.

Karl Toko Ekambi and Arnaud Kalimuendo scored either side of half-time for Rennes, who climbed to fifth place in the table.

But the real MVP was goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, who made eight saves to keep Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe at bay.

Lionel Messi pictured during PSG's 2-0 home defeat by Rennes in March 2023
Lionel Messi pictured during PSG's 2-0 home defeat by Rennes :: IMAGO/PanoramiC/Michael Baucher

Messi was booed and jeered when his name was read out ahead of Sunday's game.

A group of PSG fans seemingly wanted to make it known that they have not been satisfied with the 35-year-old's contribution this season.

Messi, who is PSG's second highest earner behind Mbappe, has scored 13 goals in Ligue 1 and assisted another 13.

But Messi was unable to deliver anything of note as PSG exited the Champions League against Bayern Munich earlier this month.

Messi's contract is set to expire in June so he could leave Paris at the end of the season.

His decision to walk straight back to the locker rooms after Sunday's game - instead of applauding the fans first - will only have fueled speculation that his PSG career is approaching its end.

Messi joined PSG on a free transfer from Barcelona in August 2021.

He is reportedly a top transfer target for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.

Content is unavailable

Published
Robert Summerscales
ROBERT SUMMERSCALES

Robert Summerscales launched FanNation Futbol in February 2022. Rob is a British journalist who previously spent two years on the sports desk at the Daily Mail in London, having earlier served as editor of CaughtOffside.com. He has been to the last two FIFA Men's World Cups, in Russia and Qatar, and is looking forward to completing his hat-trick in North America in 2026.