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Lionel Messi lashes out at booing PSG fans and ‘the way they behave’
Lionel Messi lashes out at booing PSG fans and 'the way they behave',PSG's ultras gave Lionel Messi a hard time of it as his contract in the French capital ticked down before he made the decision to leave and head to Inter Miami

Lionel Messi lashes out at booing PSG fans and ‘the way they behave’

Lionel Messi has hit back at "the way PSG fans behave" after their ultras turned on him earlier this year.

The 36-year-old, who celebrated his birthday yesterday (June 24), was regularly booed in his final months at the Parc des Princes. He was also criticised during protests against the Ligue 1 club's hierarchy in May.

He's now departed the French capital and is set to start a new chapter with MLS side Inter Miami after a summer break, with his debut earmarked for July 21.

Reflecting on his relationship with the PSG supporters, Messi told beIN Sports: "I think in the beginning it was something wonderful. But then some people started to treat me differently, a part of the Paris supporters.

READ MORE: Lionel Messi gets hero's welcome at boyhood club – and then scores first half hat-trick

"I think the vast majority still see me and treat me as they did at the beginning, but there was a fracture with a significant group of the Paris fans, which obviously wasn't my intention, far from it.

"It happened just as it had happened before with [Kylian] Mbappe, with Neymar. I know that's the way they behave. I'll take away with me the people who respected me, as I always respected everyone since I arrived and that's all."

Who's side are you on – Messi's or the PSG fans? Let us know in the comments section.

Lionel Messi of PSG
Messi was not a popular man in his final few months in Paris (Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain fans wave flares
PSG's ultras made their feelings abundantly clear (Image: PSG via Getty Images)

Messi said he wasn't sure if Argentina's triumph over France in the World Cup final played a part in the treatment he received. An unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia, for which he was suspended for two weeks, clearly didn't do his popularity any favours either.

He returned to his home country ahead of this weekend to play in an exhibition match where he and his team-mates were pitted against his former club Newell's Old Boys. The contest was held to mark Argentina and former Atletico Madrid and Liverpool star Maxi Rodriguez's retirement and saw Messi score a first-half hat-trick.