Former PSG star tells France fans to ‘BOO’ Lionel Messi if he returns as part of Argentina’s Olympics squad because he ‘took the P**S’ out of the Paris giants in his two years there
- Lionel Messi has been invited to be part of the Argentina selection for the Olympic Games
- Former PSG player Jerome Rothen wants Messi to be booed when he performs
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Former Paris Saint-Germain and France international Jerome Rothen wants supporters of his previous club to boo Lionel Messi if the Argentine decides to feature in his country’s upcoming Olympic Games.
Messi has the chance to win a second Olympic gold medal after being invited by close friend and former Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano to be part of the Argentina Under-23 squad for the tournament.
Mascherano recently guided the Albiceleste to qualification for the Olympics after their victory over reigning gold medalists Brazil and made a pitch for Messi to join the team as an older player.
This year’s Summer Olympics will take place on familiar territory for Messi, after spending two years in the French capital between 2021 and 2023. However, any ideas of a warm welcome back to the country may have to be put on hold following Rothen’s latest demand.
Rothen, 41, was a mainstay in French football, with almost 300 Ligue 1 appearances, including 180 at PSG, and was furious that Messi took the ‘p**s’ during his short time at the club.
Paris Saint-Germain supporters have been told by a former player to boo Lionel Messi as he returns to France with Argentina for the Summer Olympics
Messi has been invited by Argentina Under-23 head coach Javier Mascherano to be part of his squad for the Olympic Games
Explaining the unsavory reception French football supporters would have to give the Rosario-born superstar if he competes in the Olympics, Rothen stated that Messi has never shown any respect for his country.
‘We must not forget what he did not give. As a Frenchman and a Parisian, seeing him parade with Argentina? Guys, if there’s any way to dispute the fact that Messi hated us for two years, then scold him,” Rothen said on his talk show. Rothen s’enflamme.
‘He said it would be a disaster to live in Paris and that he has not received the welcome he deserves. Nonsense.
‘He stood above the Eiffel Tower, just like Neymar. All the French people showed him respect when he arrived. You expect respect in return and it never came,” he added.
Former Paris Saint-Germain and France international Jerome Rothen wants Messi to receive a hostile reception when he returns to the country in the summer
Messi has yet to decide whether he will join the Argentina Olympic squad for the upcoming tournament
Messi’s time at Qatar-backed PSG saw him seal his ultimate career dream of winning the World Cup with Argentina in a chaotic final against France in 2022.
He later returned after a break to celebrate in South America to a confused reaction from club supporters who were happy to see him back but also annoyed that he was responsible for beating France in the final.
Rothen continued to criticize Messi, adding: ‘When he was given days off, he never fully experienced Paris and his performances never lived up to what we had hoped from him (…).
‘We heard he wasn’t celebrated that way after winning the World Cup. You defeated France in the final! He shouldn’t have expected the red carpet to be rolled out for him.”
