With Lionel Messi having been subjected to loud boos upon his return from suspension for Paris Saint-Germain, two of his teammates have broken their silence on the matter.
The 35-year-old played the full 90 minutes in his return to action as PSG ran riot with a 5-0 win over relegation-threatened Ajaccio on the weekend to take one step closer to clinching a record 11th Ligue 1 title.
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Messi seems to have mended his relationship with the club as his suspension was cut short after he publicly apologised for making an unapproved trip to Saudi Arabia earlier this month.
However, it seems there is still friction between the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner and some of the team's supporters, with the side's convincing victory marred by the behaviour towards him every time he got on the ball.
Messi was constantly booed and whistled at by sections of the fans during the match, prompting a reaction from his teammates Danilo and Renato Sanches.
Speaking to Canal Plus after the game, the former said: "Yes, it's hard because we see teammates being whistled; it hurts.
"He is a teammate and we are all together. If you have to whistle, it's the whole team.
"But it's okay; we continue, we have a championship that we have to win and that's what matters."
Danilo's Portuguese compatriot Sanches also weighed in on the matter, noting that it is a challenging situation for the South American.
"Yes, I think it's a bit tricky for everyone and especially for Lionel because no player appreciates this kind of moment," he told reporters.
"But it is a situation that we cannot control. It's a bit difficult for him.
"But it is not for me to talk about this situation.
"If he should stay at PSG? Ask him."
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