Cesc Fabregas has told the Paris Saint-Germain faithful to be more grateful for Lionel Messi and insisted that they have "never had a player like this in their lives".
Messi joined the French giants last summer after a catastrophic management of finances at FC Barcelona meant the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner was forced to leave the La Liga titans after 21 years on the books. Things have not exactly gone to plan in Paris, with the Argentine having just two Ligue 1 goals to show for his efforts so far.
PSG's recent elimination from the Champions League, at the hands of Messi's old rivals Real Madrid no less, sparked a wave of backlash from the club's fans given it is on the European stage Mauricio Pochettino's side are mainly judged. They are currently 12 points clear at the top of the Ligue 1 table, but is is against sides across the continent where their abilities are truly tested.
The defeat by Real Madrid was followed by a Ligue 1 game at home to Bordeaux, were Messi was one of a number of stars jeered by his own supporters. He was whistled as he stood beside teammate Neymar - also in the firing line, preparing to take a free-kick.
Fabregas played alongside Messi for three seasons at the Camp Nou, during which time the Spaniard was jeered by Barca fans. Nowadays, he also plies his trade in Ligue 1 with Monaco and has slammed the PSG supporters for their conduct towards his former teammate.
"They justify that they get paid a lot, they lost against Real Madrid, that's fine, but didn't they want to win? That's what comes first," Fabregas told MARCA . "With PSG they haven't won anything yet, for the moment, but they will surely win the league.
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"You're talking about a player [Messi] who has just arrived. PSG have never had a player like this in their lives. It's better to be grateful, to support him and not crush him. This year or next, these guys will bring you great moments."
Fabregas went on to explain how being jeered by his own fans felt for him during his second spell at Barcelona. "I have been whistled at the Camp Nou," he explained. "I know what happened with PSG. The fans want to create a moment of tension with the players.
"During the match they support you, when they sing your name, perfect, but what I saw the other day, jeering when Neymar lost the ball or whistling when they touched the ball, is very ugly."
