PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino believes Lionel Messi’s scoring luck has run out. When his effort ricocheted against the post during their league meeting with Troyes, the Argentine hit the woodwork for the 10th time this season.
It is hard to accept the fact that he has been denied by the woodwork more times than any other player in Ligue 1. He commented after the match, as reported by L’Equipe: “I believe that was just terrible luck.” It’s unbelievable because, in the last play, where he hits the bar, we could have won the game. He’s a top-tier player who, in my opinion, is simply having a bad season.
He didn’t have the potential to score more goals because of all those posts. Messi has struggled to recreate his goalscoring exploits in the French capital since joining Barcelona last summer, scoring only four league goals in 24 games.
The 34-year-old ace may have had more assists if his shots had been more accurate, but he is second only to his colleague Kylian Mbappe with 13 top-flight assists. Messi has taken 70 shots in the league this season, including 42 from outside the box, highlighting his goal-scoring woes even more.
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Despite winning Ligue 1 with the team, he was overlooked for the ‘player of the year accolade. His chances of retaining the Ballon d’Or are also minimal, given their poor performances in the European and local cups. Given Messi’s dismal individual season, many consider his move to PSG to be one of the worst of the season.
He’s had some trouble adjusting to his new surroundings, but nine goals and 13 assists in all competitions in his first season in a new league with a new squad aren’t awful. What the Argentine lacks in goals, he makes up for in playmaking, creating 15 great chances, second only to Mbappe (21) and Dimitri Payet (21). (18)
He’s also averaging 2.3 critical passes per game and, as previously stated, has the second-highest assist total with 13, two more than Messi’s final La Liga season with Barcelona. PSG supporters will be hoping that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner can improve on these numbers next season.
