PARIS — Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Olympique Lyonnais at Parc des Princes was the most recent proof within the argument towards Lionel Messi extending his Paris Saint-Germain contract. The legendary Argentine’s present deal ends this summer time however primarily based on latest showings, going no additional is greatest for each participant and membership at this level in what has by no means been greater than a lukewarm relationship.
Messi, 36 in June, was a passenger as soon as once more for giant components of Sunday’s defeat and the FIFA 2022 World Cup winner was even booed by sections of the house assist forward of the kick off. It shouldn’t be essentially all the way down to Messi and any declining kind however extra a mirrored image of the place PSG are presently at — they’re badly in want of an overhaul and youthful rejuvenation.
Christophe Galtier’s males began nicely sufficient towards Laurent Blanc and his troops however not even the house followers’ scorching ambiance may maintain Les Parisiens’ present crop past 20 minutes. Familiar defensive points and midfield shortcomings contributed to a different torrid watch within the French capital and it has reached some extent the place even the prospect of some Messi magic has no pull.
In truth, moments when Messi will get on the ball generate momentary pleasure earlier than frustration and sometimes derision units in. A failed run on the visiting protection within the second half was proof of that because the South American was greeted by jeers from sections of the Parc des Princes crowd as their staff chased an ill-deserved equalizer with the clock ticking down.
PSG are constructed round Kylian Mbappe and inadequately constructed at that, whereas Messi principally ghosts out and in of video games simply months after his and Argentina’s historic triumph in Qatar. As has been the case for fairly a while now, the French giants barely appear like they know one another not to mention play collectively week in and week out.
Bradley Barcola’s opener after 56 minutes felt inevitable after Messi and the PSG assault pale away after their brilliant begin and it was truly a shock that OL took that lengthy to tally. Alexandre Lacazette noticed a first-half penalty come again off the publish after some farcical defending earlier than the hosts had been denied their very own halfhearted shout by way of VAR.
Messi’s substantial wage may very well be higher used elsewhere primarily based on the proof of the 2 video games on both facet of the worldwide break with Stade Rennais and Lyon each making some extent of PSG’s incapability to even dominate home commonplace fare. With no disrespect to both facet, they don’t seem to be really within the UEFA Champions League hunt and Les Gones could be fortunate to succeed in Europe by way of Ligue 1.
The capital membership used to make some extent of exercising their dominance over the likes of Lyon and just about all the higher home sides on the time in Qatar Sports Investments’ early years. The staff can not even do this towards the likes of a far-from-vintage OL with home hegemony quickly disappearing within the rearview mirror with any lifelike hopes of Champions League success.
Messi’s struggles in Paris are symptomatic of the membership’s demise in recent times which has seen them go from UCL finalists as just lately as 2020 to a staff that doesn’t even look convincing in a contest that many individuals assume that they dominate. At this price, not even Championnat glory is assured regardless of the presence of Messi, Mbappe and their famous person teammates — usually absolutely the naked minimal.
