LIONEL MESSI has been told NOT to extend his stay at Paris Saint-Germain as he salary is too high and he makes NO effort with the fans.
The legendary 35-year-old is coming to the end of his two-year contract with the Parisians.
During his time at PSG, Messi has helped them to a Ligue 1 title and a French Super Cup.
However, alongside Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, he is yet to deliver the ever elusive Champions League.
PSG are keen to extend the World Cup 2022 winner’s stay at the Parc des Princes, but an agreement is yet to be reached.
But Messi has been told by Jerome Rothen – former PSG player – to leave at the end of this season when his contract expires.
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Ex-France international Rothen says that Messi’s salary is too high, and shifting it off the books could allow PSG to spread their investments across the squad.
Rothen also slammed Messi for failing to engage with fans.
He says the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner “never thanks the fans, he lowers his head and goes to the dressing room”.
Speaking to RMC Sport, Rothen said: “Messi’s renewal is a joke.
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“Managing Messi, Neymar and Mbappe is complicated. On top of that, his salary is very high.
“I see PSG trapped in financial fair play because what they have to pay in wages has exploded.
“Now they will have the opportunity to recover a huge sum with Messi’s salary, this could allow them to hire and improve the squad.
“For all that, it’s a bad idea to renew with Messi.”
Rothen continued: “In terms of image and what it reflects, I can’t understand why Messi wants to extend the adventure here.
“He makes no effort to put the club ahead of him. He never thanks the fans, he lowers his head and goes to the dressing room.
“Even when he celebrates goals and his name is chanted, he never has a gesture for the fans to thank them for their support.
“He doesn’t want to invest in the project.
“Because of that, I don’t think it’s a good idea for it to continue.”
PSG’s chances of listening to Rothen are slim, with Messi stepping up to the plate in his second season.
The legendary Argentine has 15 goals and 14 assists in 24 games across all competitions.
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Mbappe and Neymar are also in frightening form, contributing to 63 goals between them.
PSG are taking on Bayern Munich in the Champions League Round of 16 later this month.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
