Messi BOOED by PSG fans in his game back from suspension over Saudi trip
Lionel Messi faced a disappointing reception from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) fans during his first game back from suspension as the team cruised to a 5-0 victory over Ajaccio. Speculation surrounding Messi's future at PSG had intensified after he received a club-imposed suspension for traveling to Saudi Arabia without permission. The match saw goals from Fabian Ruiz, Achraf Hakimi, a brace from Kylian Mbappe, and an own goal by Mohamed Youssouf, securing PSG's total points to 81 with three games remaining.
At the Parc des Princes, the crowd reacted with jeers when Messi's name was announced in the lineup, and the Argentinian received boos when he made his first touch on the ball. Both teams finished the game with 10 men as Hakimi and Ajaccio's Thomas Mangani were sent off late in the match
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Messi returned to training on Monday following his suspension, which was a result of his unauthorized trip and subsequent absence from a training session. French media reported a two-week suspension for Messi after he traveled instead of joining the squad for training the day after their 3-1 defeat to Lorient in the previous month. Messi apologized to PSG and his teammates on Friday, subsequently being excluded from the squad for the 3-1 victory against Troyes.
In the match against Ajaccio, Messi's performance fell below expectations as PSG dominated the game. Ruiz opened the scoring with a well-placed shot in the 22nd minute, followed by Hakimi doubling the lead by converting Mbappe's deflected shot. Mbappe himself added two more goals, one early in the second half with a shot from a cross and another with a spectacular volley from the edge of the box. Youssouf unintentionally deflected a cross into his own net, contributing to PSG's comprehensive victory. However, tempers flared towards the end of the game, resulting in straight red cards for Hakimi and Mangani due to aggressive challenges.
Christophe Galtier's PSG team currently holds a six-point lead over second-placed RC Lens, who managed a 2-1 victory over Stade de Reims despite being reduced to 10 men. Olympique de Marseille sits in third place, five points behind Lens, and they will face bottom-placed Angers in their upcoming fixture. Ajaccio finds themselves in the 18th position with 23 points, 11 points adrift of 16th-placed AJ Auxerre. The bottom four teams in Ligue 1 will face relegation at the end of the season.
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