Claude Makélélé defends Lionel Messi and hopes PSG will keep him

Former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder and assistant manager Claude Makélélé has come to the defence of Lionel Messi (35), adding that he hopes that Les Parisiens retain the Argentinian World Champion’s services beyond the end of the season, during an interview transcribed by L’Équipe. 

Messi was suspended for two weeks by PSG for an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia, which saw him miss last Monday’s training session at the Camp des Loges. Speaking at the Lauren Awards ceremony, Makélélé, who featured 118 times for Les Parisiens before his spell on the touchline at the Parc des Princes, criticised the way that Messi has been treated, drawing parallels with Cristiano Ronaldo’s controversial exit at Manchester United. 

“It hurts me to see the way that we criticise players of this calibre. It happened with Cristiano at Manchester, it’s happening with Messi. It’s a shame. It warns this kind of player to no longer come to this league (Ligue 1). It’s a shame to lose these kinds of players, which give joy, we need them. There are other ways of sanctioning a player internally.” said Makélélé. 

Messi’s suspension has since been lifted. The 2022 World Champions returned to training on Monday, undergoing an individual session before the return of his teammates, who earned a day off on Monday thanks to their victory against ESTAC Troyes on Sunday. However, it is still expected that Messi will leave the club this summer. Al Hilal have reportedly already tabled an offer, whilst a return to Barcelona can’t be ruled out. Such a move is complicated by Financial Fair Play constraints. 

However, Makélélé hopes that Messi remains at PSG beyond the end of his contract, which expires at the end of the current campaign. “[I hope that] Paris will keep him,” began Makélélé, who added that a move to Saudi Arabia would be “his professional choice.” 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle