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Former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) midfielder Ander Herrera has defended Lionel Messi from the criticism the Argentine has coped up during his time in France. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner has become a target for Parisians fans and French pundits.
Whenever the Ligue 1 giants fail to have an expected result, Messi becomes the subject of criticism from fans. Speaking about the same, Herrera told beIN Sport (via Ole):
"In the end, who do they pay? The best. Who are the targets of criticism? The best on the team. As they say, it depends on the salary."
The Spaniard added:
"I already admired Leo before meeting him, and after meeting him, I admire him even more, as a person and a footballer. Paris is a place that doesn't have much patience. There is an obsession with winning the Champions League that doesn't help. I think it's the only team in the world that, if they don't win the Champions League, it's a failure."
Herrera also said about the mentality of the Parisians and their quest to win the Champions League:
"All the others can have a good season without winning the Champions League. In the case of Barcelona, it can be considered that they had a good season and did not win the Champions League. But in Paris, there is not that patience, that tranquility in the fact that things take time."
Christophe Galtier's team look on course to win the Ligue 1 title. However, they have been eliminated from the UEFA Champions League and the Coupe de France.
Messi, who has scored 20 goals and provided 19 assists in 38 games across competitions, has faced the wrath for the team's poor games.
Will Lionel Messi stay at PSG beyond the season?
Lionel Messi's stint at PSG looks set to come to an end this summer. The Argentine's contract expires at the end of the season, but he hasn't signed an extension.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that Messi will leave the French side once his deal runs out. The 35-year-old has been heavily linked with a return to Barcelona.
There have also been reports that Saudi Pro League club side Al-Hilal have offered the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner a mega salary to move to the Middle-East. All things considered, Lionel Messi looks set to end his PSG chapter.
