Lionel Messi went to the Paris Saint-Germain ultras for the first time following the defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.
PSG and Bayern met in a repeat of the 2020 Champions League final and again it was Paris-born Kingsley Coman, once a wonderkid at the Parc des Princes, who popped up with the winning goal in the round of 16 first leg.
A half-fit Kylian Mbappe came on in the second half and had two goals disallowed, while Benjamin Pavard was sent off in stoppage time for the visitors after a poor challenge on Messi resulted in a second yellow.
Messi looked he had equalised late but Pavard, prior to his dismissal, produced an incredible, goal-saving block to deny the Argentine.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner wasn’t quite at his best after returning from a hamstring injury problem but he did make a gesture that brought him closer to the club’s fans.
After the game, both he and Neymar went over to the PSG ultras behind the goal. They were filmed hopping over the advertising boards and greeting the most passionate section of the club’s fanbase.
It was a third straight defeat for Christophe Galtier’s side and you could understand the ultras being angry. Their response was relatively calm, however, after a promising finish to the game from their side.
Until Tuesday night, Messi had never been over to the ultras since he joined in a free transfer in the summer of 2021.
Both he and Neymar were booed by the supporters group following last season’s Champions League elimination at the hands of Real Madrid.
It came in a 3-0 win over Bordeaux back in March and caused a serious stir online, with Cesc Fabregas leaping to Messi’s defence.
Meanwhile, Messi swapped shirts with Bayern and Canada left-back Alphonso Davies, who got his dream souvenir 900 days after the Barcelona legend denied his request following the 8-2 defeat in Lisbon.
I asked for it but I think he was a little bit upset,” he told BT Sport.
“It’s OK, next time hopefully.”
Davies’ dream came true and he looked over the moon as he walked back down the tunnel.
Source: sportbible
