‘They are a*sholes’ – Aguero in foul-mouthed rant at Messi critics

Robin Bairner

• 17 Feb 2022 02:38 CST
• 3 min read

Paris Saint-Germain attacker Lionel Messi has been defended by Sergio Aguero over recent criticism directed at the Argentine superstar.

Messi moved to Paris in August but has struggled to find anything like his best form since a free transfer from Barcelona.

Domestically, he has netted only two goals in six months, and though he has scored five times in six Champions League matches, he once again became the subject of unwelcome criticism when he saw his penalty against Real Madrid saved by Thibaut Courtois.

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Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe continues to capture the headlines with a series of match-winning moments, the latest of which arrived against Real Madrid.

Aguero, though, has backed up Messi, who was a figure he had hoped to play with at Barcelona when he signed for the Catalans in the summer.

The former Manchester City ace, who has been forced to retire from the game because of a heart condition, said on Twitch: “What sh*t about this penalty from Leo. Messi played well, he broke the lines.

“I’m not saying this because he’s a friend, it’s because he has played strongly. He was very active.

“In France, the magazines and the newspapers are killing him. They’re a*sholes.

“I had an interview with a French magazine, but I told them: ‘No because I support Leo Messi. Period. So goodbye, see you soon. Right now, I’m angry.’”

Messi criticism

Among those critics of Messi has been former France and PSG player Jerome Rothen.

The RMC pundit said after the match with Real Madrid: “He’s been a casting error from PSG.

“Of course, in terms of merchandising, it's wonderful to have attracted Leo Messi. People come to see Messi play at PSG. But you have to recognise that sportingly, he brings nothing to PSG.

“There are technical errors, loss of ball and a missed penalty, but it can happen to anyone. It's above all in his behaviour. He looks at his shoes, it looks like he's not happy.”

Messi has a two-year deal with PSG, having spent his entire professional career previously at Barcelona.