11 goal contributions in nine games – Messi is back!
Robin Bairner
- 10 Apr 2022 11:58 BST
- 3 min read
Lionel Messi is, slowly but surely, getting back towards his best level at Paris Saint-Germain, having made a traumatic summer exit from Barcelona.
Messi’s switch to Ligue 1 has been widely portrayed as a flop, with the Argentine’s mere three goals in domestic football used as a stick to beat him with.
There’s no doubt that the Argentine has failed to hit the heights that PSG might have expected of him, but it is equally lazy to write off the increasingly interesting contribution he is making for his new team.
Latest news
This was underlined on Saturday, when Messi produced a hat-trick of assists for the second time in Ligue 1 this season as PSG dismantled Clermont 6-1.
“It’s a shame that it’s only happening now,” Kylian Mbappe, who has been the chief benefactor of Messi’s genius, told Canal+ after the game, referencing the apparent click between himself, Messi and Neymar in recent matches. “There are quite a few circumstances and events that caused this to be delayed but we feel that we’re three quality players.”
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino went into greater depth.
“A lot of people don’t want to hear this,” the coach said. “At the start of the season, players needed time to get to know each other better and to find mechanics – everything we saw tonight.
“Unfortunately, you know the circumstances. Pre-season was shortened because we were coming out of the European Championship and Copa America. In addition, international breaks have been extended and certain players were only available for a few matches.
“It’s only been from January we’ve had the time to work normally. It’s not an excuse, but the circumstances were difficult.”
Messi getting back to his best
Messi missed PSG’s first games of 2022 after suffering from Covid, yet since returning, the improvement has been dramatic. In nine Ligue 1 games, he has produced two goals and nine assists. He has made a goal contribution every 68 minutes he has been on the field on average. Not bad for a flop.
As for his lack of goals, this can be partially explained by the role he plays at PSG compared to the one he was employed in at Barcelona. He operates in fewer dangerous areas and leaves much of the scoring burden to Mbappe. It is no coincidence that the form of the Frenchman has taken off in conjunction with Messi’s improvement.
OK, these are not the stellar numbers expected of Messi when he signed for PSG from Barcelona, but they are also improving sufficiently quickly to guarantee an improved second season in which the Argentine will surely shake his flop tag once and for all.
