Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves could not believe their eyes when they saw Lionel Messi lying down behind the PSG wall to stop free-kick taker Riyad Mahrez going under it.

Messi finally got off the mark as PSG beat Manchester City 2-0 in Paris on Tuesday night, with the Argentine doubling the lead with a brilliant strike in the second half after a lovely one-two with Kylian Mbappe.

However, eyebrows were raised in response to a moment that took place in the closing stages of the Group A fixture at the Parc des Princes.

City were awarded a free-kick just outside the area and it was six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi of all people who was seen getting himself dirty on the ground behind the wall as Mahrez prepared to take it.

'We couldn't believe it,' said BT Sport pundit Hargreaves. 'He's one of the greatest of all time, if not the greatest. '

Ferdinand then, took over, saying: 'The moment Mauricio Pochettino asked him to do that at the training ground someone should have gone in there and said "no, no, no, no, this doesn't happen to Leo Messi".

'You can't. It's disrespectful, I wouldn't have it. If I was in that team I'd say "no, I'll lay down for you".

'I couldn't have him laying down like that. I can't see it. He don't get his kit dirty. That's not what Messi does.'

But the BT Sport pundits were left in awe by the former Barcelona star's opening goal for his new club.

'The pace, the strength, the balance and the technique to put it where he did... phenomenal,' the former Manchester United defender said on BT Sport as he re-watched PSG's second.

'Hakimi's run is so important because it takes the defender away. When you've got players like Hakimi causing havoc like that it opens up the space for someone like Messi to exploit.'

Owen Hargreaves added: 'There was so much to like about this goal. I love the overlap from Hakimi there, making the space. It's Messi all over.

'He would have been expecting it, he's the man for the big occasion. He always seems to score against Pep Guardiola teams for whatever reason.

'Today was the perfect performance from PSG. Once they got the first goal and the space opened up for Hakimi, with Messi being able to come inside and then Neymar and Mbappe are in there – it's going to be a thing of beauty.

'Today they got it right and with Messi on the end of things, he's going to score a tonne of goals there.'

Source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgjKippYrWE

obembet:
can't a Goat eat grass in peace again?

JohnnyPalmer:
This technique was invented to stop Messi from scoring free-kicks

Messi giving them a run for their money

I Stan a humble GOAT
Taking one for the team

JohnnyPalmer:


If your tapinaldo had eaten same grass, he wouldn't be knocked out of the Champions league by Porto

obembet:
can't a Goat eat grass in peace again?

OJEEMAH:
Abeg, na who swear for Ex Man U players with criticism?? If Scholes is not ranting, Ferdinand will be blabbing or Neville who was fired as Valencia manager in less than 6months will be justifying rubbish on sky sports. The rate at which they criticize serving players and coaches, one would think they won the world cup.
My point is, why is it peculiar to those that played for Man U especially the so called English guys?

I have never seen Terry, Lampard, Gerard, Joe Cole, Ashley Cole and Tony Adams doing such and even if they have, not as frequent as these ex man u guys.

Are they the only guys that played football? Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan & Bayern get legends too nau!

OJEEMAH:
Abeg, na who swear for Ex Man U players with criticism?? If Scholes is not ranting, Ferdinand will be blabbing or Neville who was fired as Valencia manager in less than 6months will be justifying rubbish on sky sports. The rate at which they criticize serving players and coaches, one would think they won the world cup.
My point is, why is it peculiar to those that played for Man U especially the so called English guys?

I have never seen Terry, Lampard, Gerard, Joe Cole, Ashley Cole and Tony Adams doing such and even if they have, not as frequent as these ex man u guys.

Are they the only guys that played football? Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan & Bayern get legends too nau!

JohnnyPalmer:


The same ex-players turned pundits are the reason behind man United Mourinho sack

Mourinho was the last one to win them a trophy, finished 2nd in the league with a below average squad
Man said it ranks as one of his greatest achievements
in football

But they will never criticise Ole because he belongs to the old united boys club

obembet:
can't a Goat eat grass in peace again?

OJEEMAH:
See this

OJEEMAH:
Abeg, na who swear for Ex Man U players with criticism?? If Scholes is not ranting, Ferdinand will be blabbing or Neville who was fired as Valencia manager in less than 6months will be justifying rubbish on sky sports. The rate at which they criticize serving players and coaches, one would think they won the world cup.
My point is, why is it peculiar to those that played for Man U especially the so called English guys?

I have never seen Terry, Lampard, Gerard, Joe Cole, Ashley Cole and Tony Adams doing such and even if they have, not as frequent as these ex man u guys.

Are they the only guys that played football? Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan & Bayern get legends too nau!

3KINGZ18:


Those guys you mentioned during their time there was nothing like this.

If not for coutinho and messi that redefined the way free kick should be played nobody has to lie down to defend fk.

elpochas:
seems you just started watching football during Messi and Ronaldo Era,Ronaldinho was the one that invented and perfected that free kick.Go and watch Baca vs Werder bremen 2007 UCL Group match,that was Dinho played it.No pun intended at you,bt we learn everyday.

JohnnyPalmer:


The same ex-players turned pundits are the reason behind man United Mourinho sack

Mourinho was the last one to win them a trophy, finished 2nd in the league with a below average squad
Man said it ranks as one of his greatest achievements
in football

But they will never criticise Ole because he belongs to the old united boys club

paulolee:

not surprised bcoz d messi i kno, is very humble n calm headed..