Lionel Messi’s two-year stint at PSG will not soon be forgotten. Especially not by Jérôme Rothen. The former midfielder of the capital club is still exasperated by the behavior adopted by the star during his stay in France. Not only did he not appreciate his performances on the field but he still says he is shocked by the attitude of the Argentinian who, according to him, did not show respect for the place where he lived. The criticisms emitted by the reigning Ballon d’Or after his departure from France only worsened his case for the consultant of RMC. He also invites French supporters to whistle Messi if the latter is selected by the Albiceleste during the Paris Olympic Games this summer.
“Some people already have short memories. He has taken shots at PSG, at France, at Paris since he left. Yes, it’s a disaster to live here, he says in an ironic tone. It was apparently not received as it should have been. All French people respected Messi when he came. In return, you expect respect to be reciprocal. That was never the case. He never highlighted the country and bet. He never took advantage of the city. Behind, when he leaves, he shoots at PSG. His performances were never up to par. He signed for PSG to shine at the World Cup, we understood very well that it was a welcoming place where financially it was good to live. To walk on the ground. He was intelligent, he succeeded in his World Cup. (…) He gave nothing. Me, as a Parisian and a Frenchman, seeing him here playing nice with Argentina, I want to say: “guys, whistle him.” I’m not saying you have to be violent but whistle at him when he’s on the pitch and to show him that we’re very unhappy with the image he’s given to PSG, Paris and France. Assume it won’t be a red carpet.”
