PSG has released a statement denouncing the actions of a small group of individuals who protested outside the club’s headquarters and defending their star players. The Ligue 1 champions condemned the offensive and intolerable behavior and deemed it unjustifiable, regardless of any conflicts. The club expressed its full support for the players and coaching staff and opposed those involved in this shameful behavior.
Around 200 fans gathered outside PSG’s headquarters in Boulogne-Billancourt on May 3, holding up banners and chanting insults directed at Lionel Messi, Neymar, Marco Verratti, and coach Christophe Galtier. They also demanded the resignation of President Al-Khelaifi. The incident came after reports that Messi had been suspended by PSG for two weeks because he had traveled to Saudi Arabia to perform his duties as an ambassador of the Saudi Ministry of Tourism without the club’s permission.
As a result of this ban, Messi is unlikely to play any more matches for PSG. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that the Argentine striker will not renew his contract with the club and will leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.
A separate group of extremist fans gathered outside Neymar’s private house in Bougival, chanting “Neymar, farewell”. The Brazilian confirmed the incident on social media, stating that they had gathered outside his house but had since left. Neymar has been out of action since mid-February due to an ankle injury.
In the midst of the controversy, Neymar appeared to add fuel to the fire by liking a photo of him and Messi wearing Barcelona shirts, posted by Brazilian TV channel TNT on social media. The channel captioned the photo with the phrase “They used to be very happy”.
Le Parisien reports that negotiations are underway between Messi’s father and agent, Jorge, and the Saudi government for the Argentine superstar to join the Saudi League alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. However, a return to Barcelona is not ruled out for the 35-year-old striker. On the other hand, Neymar is likely to leave PSG due to the ongoing wave of protests against him that has lasted for several years.
