PSG forward Lionel Messi lost possession 26 times during PSG’s shock home defeat to Lyon in French Ligue 1.
PSG ran riot on the visitors with ball possession, dominating play but were tied up by Lyon defenders when trying to make an headway inside the Lyon’s box.
Lionel Messi made the headlines during the game right from the start.
When the lineup was announced, Messi’s name was greeted with whistles and boos from the PSG fans while Kylian Mbappe’s name was met with cheers.
It was another disappointing game for the World Cup winner. Lionel Messi failed to prove the PSG fans wrong with an astonishing possession stat after the game.
He lost possession 26 times during the game. According to ESPN, it is the highest number ever recorded by a player in a single game and Messi has now taken his tally of lost possession to 498 this season in Ligue 1 – the fourth highest this season.
There are rival reports Lionel Messi did not perform badly against Lyon despite the 0-1 defeat.
Lyon players sat deep into the box and defended with vigor against the star-studded side. The all-defense tactics worked out for the visitors.
They muffled Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi and put one pass the hosts courtesy of Barcola to run away with a win.
Lionel Messi was mostly dispossessed inside Lyon’s half when the defenders gathered around him leaving him with no space to navigate through the tight defensive setup.
Messi was equally trapped by Christophe Galtier’s tactical deadlock which failed to break open Lyon resolute defense line during the game.
He was specifically targeted by Lyon players and they made good their plan to silence the Argentina international and cut supplies to Kylian Mbappe.
While PSG’s tactical loophole could also be blamed for Lionel Messi’s poor showing against Lyon, the seven times Ballon d’Or winner has fallen below expectations at PSG.
Recently, Lionel Messi has been targeted by PSG fans protesting his subpar delivery for the club since joining from Barcelona.
PSG has failed to progress pass the quarterfinal in the Champions League in the last two years despite signing Lionel Messi.
PSG ultras deemed Lionel Messi a flop at the club and have kicked against his staggering weekly wage offer that has not been match with performance.
Messi’s rating among PSG fans has plummeted and is more likely his days at the club are numbered.
He has been linked to a return to Barcelona with the club confirming talks for his return.
His contract at PSG expires at the end of the season and he is yet to renew his deal with the club.
With his dwindling fortunes at PSG and a hostile overtures by the fans, it is more likely Messi may head back to Camp Nou at the end of the summer.
