Paris Saint-Germain ended a difficult season on Saturday with a 3-2 home loss to Clermont in what was Lionel Messi's farewell appearance at the club. Next season, it can be assumed, the French champions will look completely different - without the flea, and probably without Neymar as well.
The one who should stay, and be the sole star, is Kylian Mbappé, who officially finished as the league's top scorer for the fifth consecutive time in his young career.
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"Yes, I will be in Paris," he declared. "I have one more season left on my contract and the club is doing everything it can to get stronger, so I will be very happy. What to expect from next season? I don't know, I just show up and play, the rest doesn't depend on me."
However, the Aces stressed that the star will soon have to choose whether to take advantage of the clause in his contract, which allows him to extend his contract with the champions until the summer of 2025. If he doesn't, and becomes a free agent next summer, Paris Saint-Germain will consider selling him, so as not to lose him for free.
The star dedicated the victory to Sergio Rico, the team's goalkeeper who is still hospitalized in serious condition. "The most important thing was this gesture," he said. "It's more important than football. We could have lost 22-0 and it didn't matter, the only thing that matters is this tribute to Sergio. We were all worried all week and we have to pray for him. I'm happy to have won top scorer again and always want to sign my name in the history books."
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At the championship celebrations, some fans booed Lionel Messi, who made his farewell appearance for the club. The flea was booed even when his name was read out as part of the starting line-up, before the start of the match.
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Le Parisien called the championship celebrations "another embarrassing night for the club". Messi may have finished the season as the league's top cook with 16 assists, but even when he accepted the award he was booed by the crowd.
It should be noted that over the weekend, L'Equipe complimented Messi, and the newspaper noted that apart from the incident with the trip to Saudi Arabia without permission, in fact behind the scenes his behavior was dignified and gentlemanly, devoid of manners. "Messi never behaved like a star, never demanded special treatment, but on the contrary, he was aware of Kylian Mbappe's status and influence at the club and therefore cleared the way for him," it said, "Messi surprised the dressing room with his modesty, and he did not interfere in sensitive matters.... He was always discreet with his coaches in Paris... He surprised the professional staff by always executing the tactical requests and instructions." However, it was noted that "it was a term without great passion, without enough brilliance... Paris got a taste of Messi's potential, but it feels like an unfulfilled affair... In terms of finances and image, the club still claims that the deal is a great success."
And there were some smiles from Messi and Neymar
Galtier goes down to the dressing room
Another person who was booed was Christophe Galtier, who, like Messi, abandoned the championship celebrations before they ended and went down to the dressing rooms. "I read the reports in L'Equipe that I won't continue, but me and Luis Campos are supposed to meet later this week," the coach said, "I understand the disappointment, but we won 11th championship and that's the most important thing. I met great players here and had great moments. I'm coming out stronger from this role."
- sport
- World Football
- French League
Tags
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Lionel Messi
- Kylian Mbappé
