Lionel Messi looked so happy when being mobbed by Argentina fans

It’s been a tough few weeks in the life of Lionel Messi.

After the extraordinary high of winning a first World Cup with Argentina, the little genius has found the going slightly tough at Paris Saint-Germain.

Aside from an epic late free-kick winner against Lille and a few other sporadic moments of quality, Messi hasn’t looked himself since club football’s return.

Across the two legs of PSG’s Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich, which they lost 3-0 on aggregate, Messi was virtually anonymous.

As such, the 35-year-old was actually jeered by his club’s fans during their surprise 2-0 loss to Rennes last Sunday.

Negativity towards Messi? In Argentina, it would be a cardinal sin these days following his magical displays at the Qatar World Cup.

The Barcelona legend scored seven goals at the tournament, which saw him win the Golden Boot award to go with the trophy itself.

To say he’s a hero in Argentina would be something of an understatement.

In fact, Messi now can’t even go for dinner in the country of his birth without being mobbed by scores of passionate fans.

Footage has emerged on social media showing the chaotic scenes outside an Argentine restaurant in which Messi and his family were dining.

And despite the fact he was mobbed like a rock star when he exited the establishment, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner could not have looked happier.