PSG star Lionel Messi ‘is FURIOUS over unfair criticism from the French press’

Lionel Messi is increasingly irate about the criticism he has received in his first season at Paris Saint-Germain, according to reports in France.

The Argentine superstar left Barcelona in the summer because the club could not afford to keep him, departing after scoring an incredible 672 goals in 778 matches for the Catalan giants.

But his debut season at the Parc des Princes has not reaped such rewards as yet, with scoring just two Ligue 1 goals in 16 appearances so far this season.

 

The 34-year-old was then handed just a three out of 10 rating by L’Equipe for his ‘worrying’ limp performance for PSG in their Champions League victory over Real Madrid last month.

That brought about further criticism from the French press, including from ex-France winger Jerome Rothen claiming he ‘offers nothing’.

Now according to Le Parisien, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has told senior team-mates in the PSG dressing room that he considers recent scrutiny from the French press about him unfair.

Argentina star Messi however had no pre-season preparation and has suffered with injuries and Covid since arriving in France, but has still managed seven goals and 11 assists in 23 matches across all competitions in 2021-22.

But the French media really came after him following his display against Los Blancos, in which he squandered a spot-kick and was outshone by matchwinner Kylian Mbappe.

French newspaper L’Equipe did not hold back in slating him, even admitting to feeling sadness over his struggles since leaving Barcelona for Paris on a free transfer last summer.

‘There’s something sad about seeing him like that,’ they said.

‘In the first period, in this position almost as a midfielder, the Argentinian was available but he missed so narrowly (with the exception of his pass for Mbappe.)\

‘In the one-on-one, he suffered the athletic impact. His second period is better: he provides some effective relays.

‘But he weighs down his record with his failed or blocked attempts (53rd, 75th) and this penalty saved. This Messi is worrying.’

Meanwhile, former PSG winger Rothen slammed Messi’s penalty and set-pieces generally, and believes his global status means he is not criticised in the same way as team-mates like Angel di Maria.

‘It’s far from being a success, Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain,’ Rothen told RMC. ‘It’s a false good idea. (…) He’s the best player, perhaps, all generations combined that football has known. Nevertheless, I’m tired of hearing people say that we can’t criticise Messi.

‘If you don’t win the match, you have an enormous frustration because Messi misses the penalty. A player like Messi, with the status he has, it’s tragic to miss a penalty; that’s the reality, even if it can happen to anyone.

‘But him, compared to what he brings to PSG for seven months, he has no right. If he misses it, too bad for him, we are there to criticise.

‘Lionel Messi’s corners are a sham. If it’s not him who takes them like that, with also a lack of concentration and determination, the guy is massacred. Di Maria, who takes corners as Messi does, di Maria is booed at the Parc des Princes. We let him [Messi] off.

‘There is also his attitude. When the guy misses a pass, a dribble, a penalty, a corner, he looks at his boots and never questions himself. After a while, he has to take more about him, and you have to accept that it’s a false good idea.

‘Messi has to be hard-hitting, be in the box, occupy an important place like he did in Barcelona. When Neymar comes back, and if he’s in great shape, I don’t want di Maria to pay for Neymar’s return by starting Messi.’

Rothen had also previously claimed Messi will not reach the heights of his Barcelona days whilst plying his trade in the French capital.

But Messi has found support in former Barcelona team-mates Cesc Fabregas and Xavi.

Fabregas recently told Mundo Deportivo: ‘I’ve read things about people who shouldn’t have seen him play against Real Madrid. Without being stellar, he played a good game.

‘He missed a penalty. And that? Judging him for that seems ridiculous to me. Football goes much further. [Real star Thibaut] Courtois is a fantastic goalkeeper and he has merit.

‘Messi is happy when he wins, when he scores and when he manages to be decisive. That’s why he has been who he is for 15 years.

‘The most similar to him is Cristiano Ronaldo, but I have not seen anyone like him.’

Barcelona boss Xavi meanwhile added: ‘Playing for PSG and being Messi, it is normal people will criticise him’ he said. ‘If they only focus on that penalty shot then it’s normal to receive only criticism.

‘I wish him the best. He is my friend. For everything he’s given to Barcelona. He is the best player in the history of football, for me. Without a doubt.’