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Lionel Messi not finding things easy at PSG

By Ernesto Hernandez

Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (C) leaves the pitch after chatting with Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino during the French L1 football match between Paris-Saint Germain (PSG) and Olympique Lyonnais at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on September 19, 2021. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (C) leaves the pitch after chatting with Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino during the French L1 football match between Paris-Saint Germain (PSG) and Olympique Lyonnais at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on September 19, 2021. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian Mbappe (L) , Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian forward Angel Di Maria (C) and Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi react during the French L1 football match between Paris-Saint Germain (PSG) and Olympique Lyonnais at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on September 19, 2021. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian Mbappe (L) , Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian forward Angel Di Maria (C) and Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi react during the French L1 football match between Paris-Saint Germain (PSG) and Olympique Lyonnais at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on September 19, 2021. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images) /

PSG may have come out with a 2-1 victory against Lyon but the talking point coming out of the game was Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to take out Lionel Messi in the 75th minute.

The Argentina star looked none too pleased about being substituted and snubbed the PSG boss as he was coming off the pitch.

Life at Paris Saint-Germain not going as planned so far for Lionel Messi

Messi is known for wanting to play every minute of every game. On the rare occurrences where he has been subbed out, he’s made his displeasure known.

However what makes this instance curious is the fact PSG were tied 1-1 with Lyon at the time Messi was taken out. To take out your best player needing a goal left many scratching their heads.

After the game, Pochettino stood by his decision and explained why he felt it necessary to take out Messi.

"“We made the decision to take Messi off because of a possible future injury,” Pochettino said. “We have important matches coming up and we have to protect him.“These are decisions made for the team and everyone knows we have many great players. We have to take these decisions. Sometimes they might be viewed favorably, sometimes a little less.”Source: Marca"

According to Sky Sports, Pochettino was also asked about Messi’s reaction. The PSG boss played that down as well stating that he asked the player how he was and Messi said he was okay.

Messi’s substitution took center stage and overshadowed another disappointing match for PSG despite the result. They lined up with their trio of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Messi and once again struggled.

This latest performance follows up another disappointing one in the Champions League where the Parisian side was only able to muster a 1-1 draw against Club Brugge.

It’s also drawn a spotlight on Messi himself who has not gotten off to the start many were expecting when he joined PSG from Barcelona. He’s yet to score in three matches though he has hit the crossbar on a couple of occasions.

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With only three games into his PSG tenure, there is still plenty of time for him to figure it out. But the more time passes, the more patience is going to run out. The goal for PSG, and its owners, is to win the Champions League. To do so, they’re going to need the front three to start clicking.

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