Lionel Messi has kick-started his 2022-2023 French Ligue1 season with a brilliant start after scoring a fantastic and magical overhead kick to shot the Parisians into a 5-0 win against Clement Foot. The Argentine international is picking up pace after what appeared to be a disappointing and awkward 2021-2022 debut.
Right there at the Gabriel Mouthpied Stadium, in front of a seething cauldron of enthralled fans, the multiple Ballon d ‘Or winner and former Barcelona player pulled a strange and superb bicycle kick to sink an already overwhelmed and disoriented Clermont Foot side.
He bagged a brace and an assist in the French Ligue 1 game.
In the game, South American and Brazilian star Neymar Jr. scored a 9th-minute curtain raiser against a lackluster Clement.
Hakimi and Marquinhos were on target as the clinical Parisians finished the first half with a 3-0 thumping of the Pastian Gastien-led team. It ended 3-0 with Lionel Messi securing his first 2021-2022 Ligue 1 assist.
The second half was when Messi registered his presence in the game, sending a clear message that he is ready to ball in France and put an abysmal 2021-2022 football season behind him.
After conceding three dramatic goals in the first half of the game, Clement Foot was ready to hold the rampaging visitors to bare for good 35 minutes, with PSG finding routes to break through a brick wall defense, all to no avail.
The breakthrough came in the 80th minute. Lionel Messi was set up perfectly by Neymar. The Argentine quickly tapped the ball into the net, sinking the hosts as they went down 4-0.
The Argentine was not done with his task as he finally pulled a brilliant, clinical, and fantastic second goal that will get the PSG fans blushing. It was a great goal.
It was Leonardo Paredes who picked at the Argentine in the 86th minute with a superb lob pass. Messi wasted no time. He chests the ball down. He did not attempt to position himself well with his face and focus on others. Instead, Messi dared a superb overhead kick. Mory Diaw could not stand it as the ball curled its way into the back of the net. What a goal!
PSG players swung into celebration as they clogged around the player to celebrate the goal. It was PSG 5, Clement Foot 0.
The goal is one of Messi’s usual magical moments in football, and it is best that the Argentine is ready for the French Ligue 1 challenge.
Messi did not have the best season in the 2021-2022 French Ligue1 campaign but was able to fizzle out with 11 goals and 14 assists in 34 matches for the French giants. It is clear that by continuing on this fine form, the 35-year-old will be able to reenact his glory days at Barcelona.
