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“We Don’t Want Him.. Disappears in Big Games” – PSG Legend Slams Lionel Messi for Not Helping the Team ‘In the Slightest’

Published 03/10/2023, 8:00 AM EST

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PSG suffered yet another embarrassment in the UEFA Champions League. They bowed out from the round of 16 stage of the tournament for the second consecutive season. Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich humbled the Parisians on a 3-0 aggregate score over two legs to reach the quarterfinals. However, a former PSG star has slammed Lionel Messi, questioning his commitment in the big games.

Since QSI took complete control of PSG in 2012, the UEFA Champions League trophy has been the priority for the club. They made necessary investments to win the coveted prize but have failed since. The signings of superstars like Neymar Jr, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Sergio Ramos, amongst others, showed the intention of the club. They will have to wait another season to have a shot at the Champions League after a disappointing loss. 

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Former PSG star slams Lionel Messi

Former PSG star Jerome Rothen was critical of the Argentine while speaking to RMC after the loss against Bayern Munich. It is not helping the club that Messi disappears in important games. Rothen stated that he needs to show the commitment he showed to Argentina during the FIFA World Cup. 

Rothen said, “We don’t want him. He’s not invested in the club. 18G/16A is all well and good against Angers and Clermont, but he disappears in big games. It’s a joke. We’ve seen what he can do [in the World Cup]. He just doesn’t help PSG in the slightest.”

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Lionel Messi, despite having a stellar performance for his former club FC Barcelona and national team Argentina, has failed to inspire the Parisians in important games. He blanked in both legs against Bayern Munich this season. Likewise, in the last season, Real Madrid knocked PSG out of the Champions League from the round of 16.

Messi could not impress against Real Madrid too, as they triumphed over PSG, thanks to a quick hat-trick from Karim Benzema after two goals from Mbappe. Messi’s performances in big games haven’t gone unnoticed, and Rothen has publicly criticized the Argentine for it.

Will the Argentine stay at PSG for next season?

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Lionel Messi is in the final few months of his PSG contract. His contract ends in June this year. The future of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is subject to various speculations, with reports linking him to a host of clubs.

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MLS club Inter Miami is leading the race to land the PSG forward on a free transfer. There might be an offer from the Saudi Arabian club, Al-Ittihad, for the Argentine wizard as well. A few reports also link Messi to his former club Barcelona with an offer from PSG already on the table. It will be interesting to see where Messi ends up playing in the next season.

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Let us know your thoughts on the comments made by the former PSG star over Messi. Will Messi be playing in MLS next season?

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Written by:

Nikhil Nibe

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Nikhil is a Soccer writer at EssentiallySports. He is a pharmaceutics graduate holding a PG degree in management with marketing as a specialization. A sales professional since 2011, he decided to change the course of his career into a sports writer to follow his passion for Soccer.
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Edited by:

Debmallya Chakraborty