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      Lionel Messi sensationally BOOED by own PSG fans before AND after shock home defeat to Lyon

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      LIONEL MESSI was booed by his own fans as his name was read out ahead of the game against Lyon.Some Paris Saint-Germain fans are upset with the superstar and voiced their displeasure on Sunday, before and after the game.
      Lionel Messi was booed by PSG fans against LyonCredit: Getty
      Some booing from the Parc des Princes crowd as Lionel Messi is named in the starting eleven – but mainly cheers. Kylian Mbappé with the warmest reception.— Get French Football News (@GFFN) April 2, 2023

      They feel Messi has not lived up to expectations with PSG being knocked out in the Champions League second round in both of the forward’s seasons at the club.
      Loud boos greeted the announcement of Messi’s game following PSG’s 2-0 loss in their previous game to Rennes.
      And Messi could receive a similar reception at the next home game since Lyon beat PSG 1-0 on Sunday.
      Kylian Mbappe escaped condemnation as his name was greeted with a warm reception.
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      Messi has scored 18 goals in 33 games this season but could be let go when his contract expires in the summer.
      He is believed to earn £740,000 a week and PSG are reportedly looking to cut costs amid FFP concerns.
      PSG were hit with FFP sanctions last year and were fined £8.6million, while £56.3m is on the line depending on the club’s future compliance with the rules.
      Barcelona are interested in bringing Messi back to the Nou Camp when his contract expires at the end of the season.
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      And according to club chiefs they have been in contact with the 35-year-old over a move.
      Vice president Rafa Yuste said: “We’ve been in contact with Leo Messi’s camp. Leo knows how much we appreciate him and I’d love for him to come back.
      “For sure Messi loves Barça and the city, so we hope to find the right conditions to continue his history here.” More

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      Arsenal outcast hints that Mikel Arteta will regret letting him go and says ‘I could have been important for this club’

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      ARSENAL outcast Nicolas Pepe has hinted that Mikel Arteta will regret letting him go if he leaves the club permanently. The Ivorian was signed by the Gunners for a fee of £72million in 2019 from Lille.
      Mikel Arteta sent Nicolas Pepe out on loan to NiceCredit: AP
      Nicolas Pepe is unsure where he will be playing next seasonCredit: AFP
      After three seasons in North London, he was loaned out to French side Nice for the current campaign.
      Pepe is uncertain on where his future lies, telling France Bleu: “I’m very happy at Nice, there are still two important months for the club.
      “I want to focus on the last two months and then rest, I don’t know. There will be discussions.
      “I don’t know what Arsenal want to do. I still have a lot of friends there.
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      “I could have been important for this club, but it’s the manager’s choices.”
      Pepe has just a year remaining on his contract at the Emirates Stadium.
      He has played 25 times for Nice this season, scoring eight goals.
      The club, owned by potential Man Utd buyer Sir Jim Ratcliffe, sit seventh in Ligue 1 and are in the quarter-finals of the Conference League.
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      In an Arsenal shirt, Pepe has played 112 matches, scoring 27 goals.
      He also helped the club win the FA Cup in 2020.
      The emergence of Bukayo Saka led to Pepe’s place in the team being taken. More

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      PSG considering ‘NOT renewing Lionel Messi’s £740,000-a-week contract and looking to cut costs over FFP concerns’

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      PSG are reportedly considering NOT renewing Lionel Messi’s contract.The Ligue 1 giants are believed to be aiming to cut costs over concerns of breaching Financial Fair Play rules.
      Lionel Messi’s contract at PSG might not be renewedCredit: AFP
      Sergio Ramos could also be cut as the club look to avoid more FFP sanctionsCredit: Reuters
      PSG were hit with FFP sanctions last year and were fined £8.6million, while £56.3m is on the line depending on the club’s future compliance with the rules.
      Therefore the club are keen to reduce their wage bill with Messi’s £740,000-per-week deal on the chopping block, according to L’Equipe.
      The French outlet suggests that should the World Cup winner, 35, be released by PSG then clubs in Saudi Arabia will offer him lucrative deals.
      Former Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, 37, is another whose future is under question as his contract – like Messi’s – expires at the end of the current season.
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      Ex-France international Jerome Rothen recently said that Messi’s salary is too high, and shifting him off the books could allow PSG to spread their investment 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.”
      Messi has also stirred interest from MLS side Inter Miami as well as his former club Barcelona.
      Messi, who won the World Cup with Argentina in December, has scored 18 goals in 32 appearances for PSG so far this season. More

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      Arsenal told transfer fee for Montpellier wonderkid Elyi Wahi but manager warns striker has much to learn

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      ARSENAL will have to pay up to £26million to sign striker Elyi Wahi, Montpellier manager Michel der Zakarian has warned.The coach has also declared that the exciting forward needs to improve his fitness.
      Elye Wahi could cost Arsenal up to £26millionCredit: Getty
      Montpellier boss Michel Der Zakarian suggested how much it would take to let the striker leave the clubCredit: AFP
      Wahi, 20, has impressed in Ligue 1 this season after scoring 12 goals in 24 appearances for Montpellier.
      It follows his breakout season last term in which he netted ten in 33 games.
      His form has already seen him linked with a move to the Premier League, with Arsenal among the potential suitors.
      Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund are also reported to be keen on Wahi.
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      But Zakarian has outlined the deal that would be needed for the French side to cash in on the Gunners target.
      He said: “The kid, he’s 20, and full of talent. That costs a lot. For me, minimum €25-30m.
      “When you see the TV rights over there, England can buy him. It’s easier for them.”
      The Armenian coach also admitted that the French striker still has a lot to do to get to the top level.
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      He added: “Where he can improve? He needs to work on his volume, needs to run a lot more, always be moving and be in a position to repeat the efforts. If you don’t have the fitness…
      “He’s a sprinter, he goes really quickly, but sometimes he’s knackered after 45 minutes.
      “He needs to work a bit better, that’s every day at training. If he wants to play in a big club and play with great players, he needs to work hard. He can go very far, at a very, very good level.
      “Scoring goals like he does, you need to put them in the back of the net.
      “What he does is good for his age, but I think he can do even better.” More

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      Emile Smith Rowe breaks silence on Arsenal pal Folarin Balogun’s decision over England or USA international allegiance

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      ARSENAL ace Emile Smith Rowe insists Folarin Balogun has to do “what’s best for him” regarding his international future.Balogun is currently part of England’s Under-21 side but he can also choose Nigeria and USA, who have expressed an intense interest.
      Emile Smith Rowe wants Arsenal team-mate Folarin Balogun to join him at EnglandCredit: Getty
      Arsenal ace Emile Smith Rowe insists Folarin Balogun must do what’s best for himCredit: Getty
      Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun can play for England, USA or NigeriaCredit: AFP
      The striker has been shining bright in Ligue 1 this season during his loan stint at Reims from the Gunners as he is second in the league’s goalscoring charts.
      Smith Rowe insists he would love to have the 21-year-old in the Three Lions after spending many years playing with him in North London.
      However, the playmaker insists that’s his decision and he needs to look after his best interest.
      Smith Rowe said: “Of course [I would prefer he choose England], but obviously it’s his decision.
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      “That’s down to him to do what he wants to do. It would be nice if he could be with us in the summer [for the European Under-21 Championship] but like I said, that’s down to him and he’s got to do what’s best for him.”
      England boss Gareth Southgate admits he is impressed with Balogun, who has scored more goals than Paris Saint-Germain superstars Lionel Messi and Neymar this season.
      However, Southgate insists the centre-forward, who has registered 17 goals in 27 league appearances, will have to be patient.
      The 52-year-old tactician claims Balogun has yet to make his squad due to a lack of Premier League experience.
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      Southgate said: “It is up to the player to weigh up where his heart feels. Is he prepared to wait a little bit for an opportunity if he backs himself and feels he can push his way into our squad?
      “Because anybody who has followed us will know that we will give young players a chance. So, we cannot go and give first-team call-ups to someone just because we don’t want them to go somewhere else.
      “We like Flo. He has obviously not had an opportunity in the Premier League yet, so we have to weigh up those goals to Ivan [Toney], for example, or Ollie Watkins. Or Eddie Nketiah, who has done really well with the opportunity he has had at Arsenal.
      “I know there are going to be offers as 80 per cent of our players can play for more than one country now, and we are not arrogant expecting everybody to want to come to play for England. We have to make them feel wanted and feel part of that.” More

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      European giants want to sign Lionel Messi in shock free transfer as he edges closer to PSG exit

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      LIONEL MESSI could be set to leave Paris Saint-Germain and join Inter Milan this summer, according to reports.The Argentinian legend sees his deal expire at the Ligue 1 club at the end of the season.
      Lionel Messi is wanted by Inter MilanCredit: Reuters
      Messi has the option to extend his stay at PSG by a further year, but he is expected to quit after they were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich.
      Inter Milan are keen on trying their luck at signing the 35-year-old on a free transfer, claim Calcio Mercato.
      The Serie A side believe they can use the relationship their chief and former player Javier Zanetti has with Messi from their days playing together for the Argentina national team.
      Meanwhile, Barcelona want to bring the attacker back to the Nou Camp where he spent 21 years.
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      However, the Catalan giants may not be able to sign him due to ongoing financial issues.
      Barca have essentially been placed under a transfer ban by LaLiga until they balance their books and could be forced into selling a number of players.
      Retired striker and Messi’s best mate Sergio Aguero remains hopeful that the World Cup hero can go back and finish his career at the club.
      Aguero said: “My feeling is that there is a 50 per cent chance that Leo Messi will return. I think that Leo should retire at Barca. Barcelona is his home, he has to finish his career here.”
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      The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has also been linked with a move to MLS side Inter Miami.
      Rumours linking Messi with a switch to a Saudi Arabian club have been shut down by his father, Jorge, who labelled the reports as “fake news”. More

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      Arsenal’s on-fire striker Folarin Balogun refuses to close door on quitting club after lighting up Ligue 1 on loan

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      FOLARIN BALOGUN has fuelled speculation he could leave Arsenal by revealing he would be open to returning to Stade Reims.The striker has been a hit on loan at the Ligue Un club with 17 goals in 27 league games.
      Folarin Balogun is open to returning to Stade Reims next seasonCredit: AFP
      His form could encourage Mikel Arteta to use the youngster in the first team next season.
      But Balogun is not closing the door to a potential exit and would be open to moving back to Reims.
      When asked about his future in an interview with Ligue Un he said: “Contractually I have to go back because the loan was only for one year so that was always the agreement.
      “I’m not sure what is going to happen in the future.
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      “A lot could happen in football, a lot could change, and it just depends on the conversations we have between me and the club in the summer, and we’ll see what happens.
      “I mean there’s no door that’s closed. Of course I have had a good year here and to a lot of people it makes sense for me to come back here. So yeah I mean I don’t know what the future will bring.”
      Balogun also needs to decide his international future after being left out of the England squad.
      He appeared to be frustrated by his omission and posted a message hinting at a potential switch to the USA saying: “In life go where you are appreciated.”
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      The 21-year-old then jetted out to Orlando, Florida this week – where the USMNT had a training camp.
      USA interim boss Anthony Hudson also revealed he had held talks with Balogun over a potential switch.
      He said: “As I said before, we’ve had dialogue we’ve spoken.
      “He’s out here, having a bit of a break and some training, and we’ve had some discussions. So yeah, now it’s about him just enjoying the rest of his trip.
      “It’s been good, because it’s been an opportunity for us just to share about our program and who we are and what we do.
      “And look, that’s it, I hope we get the chance to speak to him again. So it’s been good to meet him, and I know a few of the guys who have spoke to him as well.” More

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      ‘Helpless and desperate’ – Lionel Messi slammed by Bayern Munich legend with PSG star subject of ultras’ protest

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      LIONEL MESSI has been labelled as “helpless and desperate” by Bayern Munich legend Philipp Lahm. Lahm was critical of the Argentina superstar following Paris Saint-Germain’s exit from the Champions League against Bayern Munich.
      Philipp Lahm blasted Lionel Messi as ‘desperate’Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      Messi was booed by PSG ultras during the 2-0 defeat against RennesCredit: Getty
      Speaking to Sport Bild, he said: “Messi also showed his extra class in moments in Munich.
      “But his skill is used without purpose, aim or direction.
      “Individuals at PSG just don’t know how to score a goal together and what to contribute to it. Messi was helpless and desperate.”
      Lahm was also critical of the performance of Kylian Mbappe.
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      He added: “In Munich, he just waited for the ball to fall at his feet. I have no imagination of how Mbappe’s career should flourish in Paris.”
      Messi and Co were knocked out against the German champions in the Last 16 following a 3-0 aggregate defeat.
      The second leg in particular saw the French champions struggle, with PSG fans making their thoughts well known.
      Last Sunday the club’s ultras whistled and booed Messi throughout the Ligue 1 clash against Rennes, which they lost 2-0.
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      Cameras picked up a fed-up Messi walking down the tunnel, leaving many fans convinced he will not be staying at the club at the end of the season.
      A number of clubs are said to be interested in his services, including Inter Miami and a host of clubs from Saudi Arabia.
      In the meantime, Messi has reported for international duty for Argentina after his World Cup heroics in Qatar.
      He was swarmed by adoring fans as he left a restaurant in Buenos Aires, Argentina. More