Could there be problems for Messi in Paris? That’s what Paris Saint Germain fans fear after just a month at Parc des Princes for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Messi made his debut in the PSG shirt in Reims on Aug. 29 when he came on as a sub in the second half of a 2-0 Paris win. The 34-year-old was then busy with the Argentinean national team. Upon his return, he started the Champions League game in Brugge, playing the whole 90 minutes. On Saturday, he was also in the initial 11 to face Lyon (2-1).
Messi spent 75 minutes on the pitch before being substituted by manager Mauricio Pochettino. With three outings and no goals scored and no assists given, Messi’s frustration is getting visible. And judging by his reaction following the substitution, he didn’t like his manager’s decision either.
Pochettino: ‘I spoke to Messi. There are no issues’
Messi was the best player on the pitch in the first half, but found it hard to keep the rhythm in the second part of the game. Pochettino believed Messi was tired and acted from his dugout. As Messi went out, the expression on his face was captured by the cameras. The forward looked puzzled and had a minimal verbal exchange with his manager while walking past him.
ليو ميسي لم يصاÙØ Ø¨ÙˆØªØ´ÙŠØªÙŠÙ†Ùˆ 😡🤠pic.twitter.com/BvpB986Fr0
— Messi media (@Fcbmedia14) September 19, 2021
Asked about his decision in the press conference after the match, Pochettino had a firm reply. “We have to make choices in our group and during the game,” he said. “We need to think of what’s best for the team and for each player. Decisions can be positive or not, they can be liked or disliked.”
Pochetinno spoke to Messi in the locker room once the game finished. “I asked him how he was and he said he was fine, no issues,” the PSG boss explained.
Bütün kulübe Messi'nin oyundan çıkmasına şaşkın pic.twitter.com/SbSMgk9gdF
— Parìs Saint-Germain Türkiye (@TurkeyPSG) September 19, 2021
PSG is dominating France
The win against Lyon was the sixth in six games since the start of the season for PSG. The Paris giants are already five points clear of second-placed Marseille. PSG scored 18 goals, having by far the best attack in the league, and conceded just six goals.
The game against Lyon was no easy affair for the Paris superstars. The visitors went up 1-0 after 54 minutes when Paqueta scored. Neymar equalized from the penalty spot, then Icardi threw the last dart in the third minute of extra time to put his team in the driver’s seat.
PSG will now face Metz away from home, then will host Montpellier, before playing against Manchester City in the Champions League on Sept. 28 in a much-anticipated reunion between Messi and Pep Guardiola.
