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January 15th , 2025

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BEFORE THEIR LOSS TO RENNES, PSG SUPPORTERS CHEERED FOR LIONEL MESSI.

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Sports

A year ago



Disgruntled Paris Saint-Germain supporters booed Lionel Messi's name before the French league leaders' Sunday home loss to Rennes.


The PSG all-star side was defeated by goals from Karl Toko Ekambi and Arnaud Kalimuendo, but the World Cup winner's performance in the Champions League elimination by Bayern Munich earlier this week angered the supporters. 


Before the game, there were audible boos directed at Messi, 35, as his name was read out and displayed on the screen. 


Messi was viewed as the crucial component that would enable PSG to win the Champions League after he joined the team in 2021. 


Yet, given that they were eliminated and that Messi's contract expired at the end of the season, it might have been his final opportunity to assist in bringing home the illustrious trophy.


The defeat ended PSG's 35-game unbeaten streak in Ligue 1 at the Parc des Princes and became the first home loss in the league for the team under manager Christophe Galtier. 


In a run that includes 16 victories and three victories at home under Mauricio Pochettino last season, the French team had amassed 35 points at home out of a potential 39 before the weekend defeat. 


The league is their only title left to contend for for the remainder of the season, but they are still seven points clear at the top of the standings after Sunday's victory against Remis by nearest rival Marseille. 


It had been more than 700 days since Messi's last home league defeat with the Parisians.


He has scored 18 goals in 31 games this season for PSG, but the World Cup winner's performance against Rennes left supporters unimpressed. 


Yet, statistics from Sofascore show that Messi's performance did not merit the unfavorable reaction he received from the home crowd. 


The Argentine superstar generated two significant opportunities and five crucial passes throughout his 87 touches in the game. Messi also made three successful dribbles, four shots, including two on goal. 


When Messi's long pass found Kylian Mbappe, it led to one of PSG's greatest opportunities of the game, but Rennes goalkeeper Steve Mandanda stopped Mbappe's effort.


The former French goalkeeper was in excellent form for the visitors and he denied Mbappe's chipped attempt midway through the first half before keeping his club in the contest by blocking Marco Verratti's strike that was headed for the net. 


Kim Kardashian watched as Rennes, who had won the earlier match in Brittany two months prior, triumphed in front of her as she made her second appearance of the week at a significant European match. 


She had already attended Arsenal's Europa League match against Sporting Lisbon on Thursday, which resulted in the Gunners being eliminated from the competition after losing on penalties to the Portuguese, and she was present once more to see a shocking home loss from one of Europe's top teams.


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