Paris Saint-Germain settled with AS Monaco on Sunday evening thanks to two hits from Kylian Mbappe. Lionel Messi was responsible for the assist in the 2-0, but again failed to impress the French media in competition. Just like Georginio Wijnaldum.
PSG (2 – 0) Monaco
In the Champions League, Messi has already found the net for PSG five times, but the counter in Ligue 1 is still only one goal. L’Equipe gave Messi a 4 for his performance against Monaco, in which, according to the French sports newspaper, he walked lost on the field. Messi’s rating was not the lowest of all PSG players. Wijnaldum, who played the entire game, received a 3 from the French sports newspaper.
PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino knows that there is still a lot of room for improvement within his squad. “I’m happy with the result, but the game could be much better. We take small steps. We are a very strong team with special qualities, but to achieve great things we have to make real steps. The ideal scenario is to dominate for ninety minutes. That is our challenge,” the Argentinian said at the press conference.
Thierry Henry
Former French international Thierry Henry also does not see Messi, his former teammate at FC Barcelona, excel in Ligue 1. The former top striker of Arsenal and Barça does have an explanation for this. “When you leave a place that you spent a lot of time at a young age, that you never thought you would leave, it takes a lot out of you emotionally,” Henry said in conversation with GQ about Messi’s transfer.
“You saw he cried when he left, they weren’t fake tears. It takes time to adapt, even if you are Messi. I believe he will turn it around. I have faith in him. I experienced the same when I left Arsenal to go to Barcelona. I never thought I would leave Arsenal. After my transfer to Barca I was at a great club, in a great city, but it really took some time to process my departure.”
