Paris Saint-Germain’s Instagram following has dropped by 800,000 after Lionel Messi’s final game for the club on Saturday.
The French champions confirmed their final league game of the season would be Messi’s last for the club on Saturday, with a statement claiming they were ‘proud to have had the greatest footballer of all time’.
Despite an impressive season in Paris that has seen him score 21 goals across all competitions, Messi’s final game at the Parc des Princes ended in a shock defeat to mid-table Clermont.
Supporters booed their star forward after the game, which ended two years that have failed to see them won over by a man who could not bring a Champions League title.
As Pete Jenson has written, Messi’s role in Argentina’s World Cup victory over France and his unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia earlier this year are unlikely to have helped his cause.
Lionel Messi played his final game for Paris-Saint Germain against Clermont on Saturday
Clermont earned a 3-2 win over the hosts at the Parc des Princes on the final day of the season
Whether it was due to the disrespect shown to a beloved star or the confirmation he would be leaving remains unclear, but PSG’s Instagram following took a big hit after the Clermont game.
It dropped from 69.9 million to 69.1m, indicative of the influence such a player has on global fandom.
Messi leaves France after two league titles and 32 goals, and will at least be missed by his former teammate Neymar.
The Brazil forward said on Social Media: ‘Brother… it didn’t turn out as we thought but we tried everything. It was a pleasure to share two more years with you.
Neymar said it had been ‘a pleasure to spend two more years with’ the Argentine forward ahead of his departure
‘Good luck in your new stage and be happy. I love you.’
Although Messi has been linked with a sensational return to Barcelona, the club would likely be unable to afford his salary and stay within stringent LaLiga financial limits.
Al-Hilal have offered Messi £345million per season to follow Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi Pro League.
There is also a chance the World Cup winner could join MLS side Inter Miami in a lucrative deal that would include brand deals with Adidas and Apple.
DailyMail
