Former PSG star slams Messi for frequent Barcelona visits

The Argentine icon has come under fire for his performances at PSG in recent weeks.

Jerome Rothen has criticized Lionel Messi for his lack of commitment at Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi left Barcelona after 21 years to join PSG as a free agent in August 2021. Following a difficult debut season, the 35-year-old seemed to have regained his best form under Christophe Galtier.

However, his performances after the World Cup have intensified reports about a possible move back to Barca. PSG fans have repeatedly booed Messi in recent weeks, with Rothen insisting their frustration is justified.

Speaking to RMC Sport, the former PSG star said: “Leo Messi represents football, everything I love in football. He has marked the history of football, he is perhaps the greatest of all generations. But we are extremely disappointed with his contribution over his two seasons at PSG.

“I’m not even talking about his investment in the field, but just to defend the club in interviews, to show that he is happy to live in Paris, that he has found his feet. On the contrary, we have always seen negative things.

“As soon as he has a few days off, he goes to Barcelona. He has never got used to Paris, to what PSG represents. It is certainly a young club, but a club which has a history and it is also respected. You have to put yourself in the shoes of a Parisian player, he’s never done it, so I blame him for that.”