03 April 2023 , 10:16
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Former Barcelona forward Thierry Henry has urged Lionel Messi to return to the Camp Nou “for the love of football” as his relationship with PSG fans continues to sour.
The Argentine only left the Catalan giants just under two years ago in a tearful farewell after financial issues meant a new contract could not be agreed. He has continually been linked with a move back ever since.
His relationship with Paris Saint-Germain fans appeared to fall to new levels on Sunday evening as the reigning French champions fell to another defeat - their seventh in all competitions since the turn of the year - as Lyon earned a 1-0 victory at the Parc des Princes.
Messi’s name was loudly jeered by home supporters, with Henry urging his former teammate to seal a switch back to Barcelona in the aftermath. Speaking to Amazon Prime Video, he said: “It’s embarrassing to hear whistles from the Parc.
“You can’t whistle one of the best players on the team, who has 13 goals and 13 assists this season. Personally, I would like to see him finish his career at Barcelona, in Europe.
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“After that, I don’t know what he will do. Because the way he left Barcelona after everything he did… I didn’t really like it. For the love of football, he should go back to Barcelona."
Lionel Messi was jeered by PSG fans in the defeat to Lyon (Getty Images)Do you think Messi will return to Barcelona? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Henry was not the only one to have taken aim at PSG supporters for their whistles. Under pressure boss Christophe Galtier also criticised the jeers in Messi’s direction after the defeat to Lyon.
Speaking after the full-time whistle, he said: "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."
Messi has a maximum of just nine games to go in his PSG career until his contract retires come the end of the campaign. He will certainly be hoping to round off his stay at the Parc des Princes with another Ligue 1 crown to add to his collection.
In the meantime, Barcelona vice-president Rafa Yuste has already confirmed that talks between the Spanish giants and Messi’s representatives are already underway. Speaking at a press conference, he said: "I am still gutted he couldn't continue here. Of course I would like him to come back, because of what he represents on a sporting, social and economic level.
"We are in contact with [Messi's camp], yes. Beautiful stories should have happy endings, and there is a mutual love between the two parties."
In his time with PSG, Messi has made 67 appearances for the French giants, scoring 29 goals and providing a further 32 assists.