Lionel Messi had a great reaction to getting called a 'world champion' by a fan

Lionel Messi's smile went viral on Saturday night, after one PSG fan paid him the ultimate compliment ahead of the Ligue 1 game with Lens.

Despite being him, PSG supporters haven't exactly been loving Messi recently, with the seven time Ballon d'Or winner apparently not that popular at the Parc des Princes.

After the French champions were eliminated from the Champions League, there has been signs of discontent from those in the ground towards the 35-year-old.

He was booed ahead of the clash with Rennes last month, before the team went on to lose, and the same happened again a few weeks ago before the loss to Lyon.

On Saturday night though, one fan went with a different tact by by shouting "Go ahead, world champion!", as the star warmed up before the match.

Clearly Messi enjoyed the compliment/fact of being called a world champion, with his cheeky smile going viral following the incident, which you can see below.

Having lost the two matches in which Messi was booed before the match got started, it's clear that complimenting the former Barcelona star is the better way to go.

Christophe Galtier's side were up against the side second in Ligue 1, Lens, and knew that a win would go a long way to putting them on course to retain the title.

And the match was over before half time, with Kylian Mbappe grabbing the first, just after the half hour mark, before Vitinha doubled the lead minutes later.

But it was Messi and Mbappe who combined for the moment of the match, as the Argentine beat one man, passed to his teammate, who backheeled the ball back into the world champion's path.

Messi still had to beat the defender to the ball, before slotting home the third of the game, all before the whistle for the halftime break.

Messi and PSG had a much better night not being booed. Image: Alamy

Lens did pull a goal back in the second half, through a penalty, but the damage was done and the Parisiens now hold a nine point advantage over their closest rivals.

The fans may not have the beauty of watching both Messi and Mbappe for too much longer in the French capital however, with both men linked with moves away from the club in the summer.

Barcelona have been heavily rumoured to be interested in bringing their former captain back to the Nou Camp, with Xavi having reportedly already made tactical plans for his former teammate.