Why PSG Rival Club Manager Wants Lionel Messi to Leave France This Summer

• Lionel Messi has been urged to leave France this summer
• The 35-year-old is in the final few months of his two-year contract with PSG
• He was recently punished by PSG for taking an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia

Nantes manager Antoine Kombouare has lashed out at Paris Saint-Germain for their 'unfair' treatment meted out to Lionel Messi.

Kombouare, who recently led Nantes to a runner-up finish in the Coupe de France, slammed the Ligue 1 leaders for punishing the Argentine who embarked on an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia.

According to France24, Messi, who has rendered an unqualified apology to the club for his action, has also been subjected to serious scrutiny, with a section of PSG's fanbase labelling him as a 'mercenary.'

Nonetheless, Nantes coach Kombouare, who is a self-acclaimed Messi fan, believes the seven-time Ballon d'Or is beyond reproach.

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"I don't give a toss about what happens on the pitch or the problems at PSG. I love the player [Messi]. One should not touch Messi whatever he does," Kombouare told the media via Tribuna.

He expressed his displeasure with how Messi has been treated in France and declared he will be glad if the former Barcelona playmaker does not renew his contract with PSG when his current deal expires.

"Right now, we're coming down on the guy. It's shameful... If he leaves [France], I'll be very happy. We don't deserve him," he added.

Messi renders apology to PSG

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi has issued an apology to his club teammates after he was suspended for missing training, Sports Brief reported.

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The Parisiens punished the 2022 World Cup winner after travelling to Saudi Arabia on a sponsored visit.

The Argentina phenom has resorted to social media to respond to the backlash by apologising to the club and his teammates.

Messi may exit PSG soon

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Lionel Messi’s relationship with Paris Saint-Germain seems to have broken down completely after the club punished the forward for making an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia.

Messi was suspended and fined two weeks’ wages by PSG for the act, which seems to have upset the Argentine superstar at the club’s hierarchy.

The mercurial Argentine, who was also a target of protests recently by the club’s fans, is reportedly considering the option of terminating his contract at PSG within the next 10 days.