LIONEL MESSI made a dismal Paris Saint-Germain exit as Clermont came back from behind to shock the champions.
The Argentina legend and World Cup winner will depart the French champions at the end of the month.
That’s why psg is letting Messi go to Al hilal
— LEVIpic.twitter.com/xP1cfwCt2I
(@LEVI00017) June 3, 2023
Messi’s name was roundly booed by the home fans before kick-off when announced on the loud speakers.
And the cat-calls continued when he missed a sitter during the 3-2 loss.
Sergio Ramos – who is also leaving – opened the scoring in the 16th minute.
That was when PSG fans were cheering for keeper Sergio Rico, who is in intensive care following a horse-riding accident.
Kylian Mbappe made it 2-0 from the spot soon after -and celebrated by holding up Rico’s number 16 shirt.
But Clermont hit back through Johan Gastien – and Mehdi Zeffane leveled after Grejohn Kyei missed a penalty.
Messi was barracked again for firing over when Mbappe had set him up – and Kyei then pounced to seal Clermont’s comeback.
Second-place Lens won 3-1 at Auxerre to finish a point behind winners PSG in the Ligue 1 table.
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Messi infuriated his club and fans last month when he took an unapproved trip to Saudi Arabia with his family.
The ace was banned for two weeks before issuing a grovelling apology.
But after winning the title for a second straight season, Messi then skipped the team celebrations to watch Coldplay in his beloved Barcelona.
The forward is now tipped to seal a stunning return to the Nou Camp, two years after he was released from his contract there.
Messi scored 672 goals in 778 games for Barcelona, winning 10 titles and four Champions Leagues in the process.
The new Spanish champs already boast Robert Lewandowski up front, but boss Xavi Hernandez – Messi’s former teammate – insists he’s already figured out his tactics to accommodate his old pal.
Xavi said: “The priorities are very clear, I would really like Messi to return. Messi knows that and I have spoken with him.
“He will decide next week and now there are 200 hypotheses. In the end he will decide his future and here he has the doors open, there is no more debate.
“If it is the coach who has to give the OK to come, he has the OK at 100 per cent.
“In the end you have to find a natural habitat to enhance all your game, but I do see that it can help us a lot.
“I think we lack that talent in the last third and Leo always give it to you.”
