Marquinhos warns PSG fans over Lionel Messi treatment

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Marquinhos warns PSG fans over Lionel Messi treatment

Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos has urged the club's hardcore fans to stop booing Lionel Messi, who is expected to leave the French capital once the season is over.

Messi is nearing the end of the two-year contract he signed with PSG in 2021 and talks over a new deal have failed to yield an agreement.

The player himself is known to be keen on a return to former club Barcelona, where he previously spent more than 20 years. Despite having to contend with competition from Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia and financial limitations, 90min has learned that Barça are now 'hugely confident'.

The Catalans cannot match the €400m per year deal on the table in Saudi Arabia, but Camp Nou officials are doing all they can to make space for Messi on their wage bill.

For the time being though, Messi remains a PSG player and has fallen foul of supports in recent weeks. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, who was briefly suspended by the club over a trip to Saudi Arabia, was booed at Parc des Princes during last weekend’s 5-0 win over Ajaccio.

Ahead of facing Auxerre on the road on Sunday night, Marquinhos has warns fans off targeting Messi again, or indeed any other individual player.

"I always respect protests when they are peaceful, at the times and places where it is necessary," he told L'Equipe.

"Above all, I ask the supporters not to target one player or another. It must always be collective. A player doesn't walk on his own, he's not going to do anything on his own."