Paris Saint-Germain have lost at least one million Instagram followers following Lionel Messi’s departure from the Ligue 1 giants.
Messi has spent two seasons at the Parc des Princes, winning two successive French titles.
Now, he is leaving PSG, with a return to Barcelona or a move to Saudi Arabia both mooted as possible next destinations. And it appears that PSG are already feeling the weight of the superstar’s loss, having confirmed his departure in the lead up to Saturday’s defeat to Clermont.
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That has come from their Instagram account, with the club’s following on the social media platform dropping by one million. That loss in followers came after the Clermont game, with PSG previously boasting 69.9million followers.
That has now dropped to 68.9m since Saturday evening’s game, during which Messi was given a hostile farewell from the home crowd. Those who greeted Messi with boos were slammed by boss Christophe Galtier, who himself appears on his way out of PSG.
“Concerning Leo, I find that the whistles were very harsh. Like the season, there have been good periods, and less good periods. Maybe in a few weeks, I will find the origin of Leo’s treatment, because he has always been well-behaved,” Galtier said.
“He is the greatest player in the history of football. He has impressive statistics, in a season where he played a lot. Leo had a great season. I dare to hope that people will analyze it coldly, with a little more lucidity.
“I reserve my analyses for my management, my president–any experience is enriching. Coaching is a tough job. When I arrived in Paris, someone told me: ‘The higher you are, the stronger the blows.’
“The second part of the season was very difficult. Sometimes, lightning fell on me, but I finish this season with a lot of pride. After that season, I am now another man and another coach.”
