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Why PSG fans booed Messi & Neymar (1:40)

Paris Saint-Germain fans booed Lionel Messi and Neymar during their win over Bordeaux. (1:40)

9:28 AM ET

Lionel Messi was booed by the Paris Saint-Germain fans. On the same day that he scored a hat trick for Manchester United and swapped GOAT talk with Tom Brady in a post match meeting of the greats, the whole world could see it.

Two players who have dominated world football for the best part of 15 years had contrasting moments. Since returning to the club 12 years after leaving for Real Madrid, the reality of his time at Old United has been obscured by his performance in front of Brady.

Tom Brady was given a show byRonaldo.

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Before his hat trick against Spurs, he had only scored one goal in the previous year. He had only scored one goal in 10 appearances, and had been dropped to the bench for the game at Burnley. His absence from the squad for the Manchester City defeat was officially attributed to a hip injury, which led to the player returning to Portugal with headlines that suggested he was unhappy at United and ready to leave in the summer.

Cristiano Ronaldo's hat trick against Tottenham masked what has been a disappointing season. Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images

In recent weeks, questions have been raised about whether or not the United player is able to play as a centre-forward. Is he showing his age? Has United sacrificed a team ethic to accommodate him? These are all issues that continue to be raised when the man who is 10 years younger than him does not do what he did on Saturday.

It is a similar situation for Messi. The final part of the club's winning jigsaw was signed by Messi, who is three years younger thanRonaldo. From a fantasy football perspective, the idea was that the forward line of Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe would be unstoppable in the competition. Messi was booed by the crowd during the win against Bordeaux because he was targeted by Real Madrid in the second leg of the second round of the playoffs.

Messi missed a penalty in the first leg of the competition, which was the only contribution he made. He scored five goals in seven games, including two against RB Leipzig that secured a 3-2 win, and a stunning strike against Manchester City that led to a 2-0 victory in Paris. The two goals Messi has contributed in 18 league games are more than that. Even though he was signed to win the trophy, he hasn't been able to make a difference.

Lionel Messi has scored just two Ligue 1 goals since joining Paris Saint Germain. Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

At the very least, they should be back in the competition next season. They will win the French title and give Messi something to celebrate because of their 15-point lead. It gives him something over the fact that he will end the season empty-handed unless he can inspire United to a win in Paris in May. The first leg of their tie was tied at one.

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Although the re-signing ofRonaldo was a nostalgia trip with a major commercial boost for United, he was primarily signed to make the team serious competitors for the title. Solskjaer was fired in November and United are no-hopers in the title race, and they will struggle to even finish in the top four with three games in hand.

The first season at United might not be as fruitful as he would have liked, as he tries to avoid playing in the Europa Conference League next season. His 18 goals in 32 games may not count.

There have been some highs for both Messi andRonaldo. Messi&s goal against City is probably as good as it has been for the Paris Saint-Germain star, whileRonaldo has his Spurs hat trick and several match-winning goals. Is any of it worth it for United? Is it true that Messi orRonaldo made their teams better? Neither has helped their club deliver their objectives and at times 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884 888-349-8884

Michael Jordan and his final season with the Chicago Bulls have not been the focus of the Last Dance series. The time in Paris has been a tale of false steps and unfulfillment for Messi.

It might not get any better. Nobody can say that it will all work out for either of them next season, because they are a year older.

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