Henry Leaps To Messi's Defense Amid Boos

Thierry Henry has leapt to the defence of Lionel Messi following the boos he received against Ajaccio.

The Arsenal legend disapproved of the frosty reception Messi got at the Parc des Prince during his first game back in the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) squad since his suspension.

“I understand the beeps, but I don’t have to accept them," Henry told Amazon Prime’s ‘Dimanche Soir Football’ show.

"It’s not the first time they’ve whistled him. People will say that he deserved why this or why that. 

"But PSG’s problem isn’t Messi. He returned."

The friction between Messi and PSG fans ensued after he made an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia with his family. 

This led to him receiving a two-week suspension which was subsequently lifted after he released an apology video on social media. 

“For me, personally, he made me win things that I had been looking for for a long time," added the Frenchman, who played with Messi at Barcelona. 

"But I come back to the fact that no one should miss a practice. I can understand the whistles because no one should be above an institution. 

"But it has to be like that all the time with the rules. 

"And rarely have I seen a team that goes to being a champion having players to whistle for."

Henry however blamed the tense situation at the Parc des Princes on the club's Qatari ownership, whilst admonishing the World Cup champion to return to Barcelona.

“When you miss a training session, you are sanctioned. But the real division is between the fans and the ‘Qatari era.’ 

"Messi was never a problem, I played with him, and he was always a solution.

"He was a world champion, and he didn’t grow old in two months. 

"Yes, He doesn’t stay at PSG; I would like him to return to Barca. Because when I see Messi, I see Barca,” he concluded.

Messi is reportedly set to leave PSG at the end of the season when his contract expires and it is understood that Barcelona president Joan Laporta is trying to secure his return to the Nou Camp.