The manager of Paris Saint Germain, Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that the club’s recruit Lionel Messi would not be in action against Metz later tonight, September 22. The Ligue 1 match will kick off at 20:00.
Pochettino revealed that Lionel Messi suffered a knock during the league game between PSG and Lyon at Parc Des Princes on Sunday, September 19.
Recall that during the league game which ended 2-1 in favor of PSG, coach Pochettino decided to substitute Lionel Messi for Achraf Hakimi in the 76th minute.
At the time the coach took off Messi, the scoreline was 1-1 and the home team needed a win desperately. Hence, it was a big surprise that Pochettino decided to take off Messi who is regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time for a left-back.
Afterward, the coach took off Ángel Di María for Mauro Icardi who scored the needed winner in the 82nd minute of the game.
The hard earn victory did not make headlines as much as Lionel Messi’s reaction to Pochettino’s decision did. When Messi was substituted, he refused to shake hands with the coach but didn’t fail to give him an angry look.
Messi didn’t shake hands with Pochettino pic.twitter.com/od8JkMfH0X
— Drizzy (@messiprimes) September 19, 2021
Ahead of the PSG league game against Metz, the Argentine tactician revealed that he decided to take off the record 6 times Ballon d’Or winner because of an injury scare.
The coach acknowledged that his countryman had a good game, especially in the first half even though he could not score.
Pochettino also insisted that he didn’t have any issues with how Messi reacted to him because champions like Messi don’t naturally enjoy being substituted from games.
“We are pleased with the way he played,” Pochettino said, adding that he noticed “Leo was looking at his knee”.
“He played very well in the first half, and the only thing missing was a goal. He played for 76 minutes and, with all the information we had, we decided to take him off.
“Of course I understand the situation and I accept it as it is.”
On Messi’s reaction after he was substituted, Pochettino added: “It is not a surprise for me, but the priority is always the well-being of the player and in this case, we thought it was the best thing for him to take him off.
“All great champions always want to be on the pitch and that is understandable.”
Imagine if Cristiano Ronaldo didn't celebrate the winner scored by his team just because he was subbed off.
— Mu. (@ElBichu7) September 20, 2021
We would never hear the end of it till the end of his career. Messi gets away with too much while Ronaldo is the most hated.pic.twitter.com/oNFR0WUypM
Ahead of the Wednesday league game, Lionel Messi underwent an MRI and it was confirmed that he suffered a bruised bone.
The 34-year-old Argentine football icon will undergo a follow-up examination on Thursday which could determine whether Messi would be fit or not for the league game against Montpellier on Saturday, September 25. The match will kick off at 20:00.
PSG would hope that the former FC Barcelona talisman would be fit enough before they meet Manchester City in a Champions League group game scheduled to kick off at 20:00 on Tuesday, September 28 at the Parc des Princes.
