The manager of Paris Saint Germain, Mauricio Pochettino has insisted that no player in the world is better than Lionel Messi after the Argentine football icon scored his second French Ligue 1 goal in 13 games.
For over 13 years, the debate has been about who is better between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Some argued that Messi is better than Ronaldo based on the number of titles he has won especially with FC Barcelona (35 titles).
On the other hand, some football enthusiasts believe that Cristiano Ronaldo is better due to how consistent he has been over the years especially the fact that he has proven himself at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
But the fact that Lionel Messi has won a record seven Ballon d’Or, two above his career rival, Ronaldo, has given him a bigger edge over his competitors.
However, the 34-year-old Argentine football icon has been under heavy criticism due to how he has been struggling in French Ligue 1 since he left FC Barcelona for PSG in August 2021.
Recall that the Argentina football icon has managed to score just a goal in the French League before PSG faced Lille on Sunday, February 6, 2022. Aside from goals, Messi had provided six assists in the league before the clash with Lille.
During the league game against Lille on Sunday, Messi scored in the 38th minute and provided an assist which contributed to the 5-1 bashing of Lille. The goal and the assist increased his total goals and assists tally for PSG to 7 goals and 7 assists in 19 games in all competitions.
MESSI ICE COLD, 1 GOAL 1 ASSIST IN THE TOUGHEST AWAY GAME OF THE SEASON 🔥🔥🔥 MASTERCLASS MESSI pic.twitter.com/epgNaQE4tO
— mx (@MessiMX30ii) February 6, 2022
Since most people perceived that he has not been consistent at PSG, they did not expect him to win the 2021 Ballon d’Or. To the dismay of Messi’s critics, he won the award ahead of Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich.
On the other hand, Lewandowski who was not happy that Messi won the Ballon d’Or ahead of him, was named the winner of the 2021 FIFA The Best player of the year.
But after Lionel Messi increased his goal tally in the league from one to two, coach Pochettino who is from Argentina like the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner insisted that his countryman remains the best player in the world.
The Argentine football tactician said: “I had no doubts, Leo is the best player in the world,” Pochettino said after the match.
“Like anyone, he needs time to adapt. He needed time to recover his best physical shape, after a month without playing because of the Covid.
“It’s important that Leo shows such participation and commitment.”
Currently, PSG are sitting on the top of the French Ligue 1 table with 56 points in 23 games after recording 17 wins, 5 draws, and just a defeat so far this season.
PSG’s next league game is against Rennes. The match is expected to kick off at 21:00 on Friday, February 11, 2022.
