Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and Neymar formed Paris Saint-Germain's attacking trident on Friday against Lille in a game where the former Barcelona captain once again failed to hit the back of the net in Ligue 1.

The Argentine forward was replaced at half time as a precaution due to a muscle problem which had been causing discomfort during the week, and this means that he has gone five Ligue 1 games without scoring a single goal.

PSG managed to complete a 2-1 comeback win thanks to second half goals from Marquinhos and Di Maria at the Parc des Princes, but Messi looked toothless in the first 45 minutes, putting a freekick high and wide, before making way for Mauro Icardi at the break.

The hosts struggled in the first half against a superior Lille and lacked intensity, as they committed no fouls before the interval.

Di Maria's late goal meant that PSG have picked up eight points thanks to goals scored after the 85th minute.

Messi's numbers with PSG

The Argentine has yet to open his account in Ligue 1, as he has failed to net in his five league games this season. However, Messi has been clinical in the Champions League, where he has registered three goals in three matches.

Meanwhile, this was not the first time that the former Barcelona captain has been replaced since signing for PSG, as Pochettino subbed him off in the derby against Lyon with 15 minutes to go due to a knee problem.

Despite Messi's goal-drought in the French top flight, PSG have lost just one Ligue 1 game and currently top the table with 31 points.

yanabasee2:
This was the idea... to see if he can excel outside Barcelona.... but he really can't.... He shouldn't be a GOAT after all....



CR7 have proven himself to be a better player in any given club......

ojaysam25:
An aquatic species should remain in the water. I hope I have not derail the thread

obembet:


I don't know why Messi's worshippers can't accept the fact that he's not good as before. He's declining because of new environment n age. But rather,they find all kinds of lyme excuses to make him look better.Messi is not a striker he's a play maker blah blah blah... Is play maker a new Position in the field that has been created by his fans,cuz all I know is there are four positions which are goalkeepers, defenders (center back n fall back), Midfielders (defensive n offensive), Fawarder (strikers n winkers). For all I know n all sensible people,Messi is n has always been a Fawarder by profession. He either play as a winger or striker, if he drops into the midfield it's because he want to, but that's not his position. He has never been classified as Midfielders on any lineup that Fifa post or even by his managers, his main objective on the team is to score, people should play for him to score n he's not seeing that on PSG like Barca cuz there are so many superstars so he sometimes drops into the midfield n come back up as a compliment. Messi will never be the same player that was on Barca. He spent his entire life there n wasn't expecting to play for no other team than Barca. He was a god in Spain, but in Paris Mbappe and Newmar rules. That just the plain and bitter truth.

Lalasticlala

ojaysam25:
An aquatic species should remain in the water. I hope I have not derail the thread

uncleck:
I'm a Messi fan. I will continue to be patient with him till he fully adjusts to the new environment. Ashawo that has been in the business for years is not same as ashawo that just join the business.

yanabasee2:
This was the idea... to see if he can excel outside Barcelona.... but he really can't.... He shouldn't be a GOAT after all....



CR7 have proven himself to be a better player in any given club......

obembet:


Messi in Barcelona vs Messi in PSG