Failure in the Champions League or an ineffective combination with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are the reasons why Lionel Messi cannot shine as expected at the Parc des Princes.
Lionel Messi’s form at the beginning was not bad, but it did not show his appearance at his peak. Seven goals and four assists in his first four months in the French capital is considered a huge disappointment for Leo’s class. Obviously, Messi did not integrate well in the new environment.
Attacks with Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are only strong in theory. In the era of active strikers to the throne, this trio is the barrier of PSG. The capital team almost only plays with 8 people whenever they cannot control the ball. In Ligue 1, this arrangement is fine because PSG simply outshines the competition. In the Champions League, it became a tactical disaster.
Messi quickly declined after the 2022 World Cup. He scored 7 goals and had 10 assists in 13 matches before the World Cup, then 9 goals and 6 assists in 18 matches. After taking Argentina to the top of the world, Messi spent more than two weeks basking in the glory. In contrast, Mbappe buried himself in training after the final. According to Goal, this started Messi’s hate in Paris.
Barcelona is Messi’s hometown, a city with which he still has many connections. PSG, no matter how nice, can hardly fill that void. Messi is a highly paid, professional footballer who is expected to play at the highest level wherever he goes. But when he could not adapt to the new environment, it was also difficult for Leo to concentrate on playing football. “Paris has never made Messi feel at home,” Goal concluded.
The anger of the Parisians increased strongly when the former Barcelona star moved to Saudi Arabia as soon as the home team had just received a bitter defeat. He was suspended by PSG and had to publicly apologize to the team. Fans constantly protested, booed Messi. It was the last drop of water, putting an end to Messi’s chapter with PSG.
Messi joined PSG with the goal of bringing the club to the top of Champions League glory. However, he has never performed up to that expectation. PSG were eliminated early in two consecutive seasons in the number one arena on the continent. Despite winning Ligue 1, Leo and his teammates could not assuage the discontent in the hearts of fans.
When he signed for PSG, Messi was 34 years old. Therefore, age begins to affect Messi. The Argentine superstar missed a series of matches this year and last year due to a calf problem. Leo is getting old. PSG and the team’s fans have never really accepted this reality.
Messi’s two coaches in Paris were judged as failures. Mauricio Pochettino won Ligue 1 but never got the best out of Messi. Galtier, meanwhile, is going through a series of problems of his own. PSG lacked a personality and class coach to bring the team to success during Messi’s two seasons in Paris.
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