Lionel Messi is unfairly criticized in France, according to AS; the Argentine made “a great second half” in the defeat with Nantes, says the Madrid newspaper

for the diary L’Equipethe most influential sports media outlet in France, the Argentinian Lionel Messi bears the ultimate responsibility when Paris Saint Germain suffers a poor result.

The leader fell on his visit to Nantes 3-1 on Saturday, in matchday 25 of Ligue 1, despite the fact that the Brazilian Neymar returned to the starting lineup for the first time since November, after an injury to his left ankle.

The criticisms arise despite the fact that Messi had scoring chances and created others for his teammates. For example, a great triangulation between Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé left the Argentine in front of the French goalkeeper (8 minutes), who saved the tie at 1 with enormous effort.

‘Great second part’

the sports newspaper ACE, from Madrid, believes that the Parisian newspaper has been cruel to Messi. “L’Equipe valued the performance of the Argentine with a 4 despite having made a great second half in Nantes. Mbappé and Wijnaldum, also pointed out”, says the Spanish news.

The publication adds that “PSG’s defeat against Nantes has not gone unnoticed by the always critical French press, which has once again failed Messi for no apparent reason. The Argentine star was one of the few players to be saved from the shipwreck of Pochettino’s men, but he received a rating of 4 (rating) from L’Equipe, which continues to demand much more from the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner. Other PSG starters against Nantes, such as Mbappé and Wijnaldum, were also failed. The French international received a 3, while the Dutchman was punished with a 2″.

ACE states, in a note signed by Andrés Onrubia, that the mistreatment of L’Equipe to the former Barcelona footballer is unfair. “The truth is that Messi was one of PSG’s best during the 90 minutes. The man from Rosario generated two clear scoring opportunities in the first half, but both Mbappé and Gueye succumbed to an immeasurable Lafont (he received a historic 10 from L’Equipe). In the second half, the former Barcelona player assisted Neymar in the Parisians’ only goal at La Beaujoire and, furthermore, he was Mbappé’s assistant in the play in which the striker forced the penalty that Neymar ended up missing.

favorable statistics

L’Equipe thus justified the low rating given to Messi: “The Argentine, aligned as a right winger, was not forgiven by Pallois, in the image of the intensity of Nantes. He missed against Lafont (minute 8) and assisted Gueye well (27). He was more decisive after the break: he took a good shot at Mbappé in the 58th minute, who earned a penalty and then left the Frenchman alone again in the 69th minute. He played in a much lower role as quarterback in American football. He missed a shot in the 85th minute and he lacked more clarity in the match”.

For ACE “The statistics continue to support Messi, who has scored 6 goals and has provided 8 assists in the last 16 PSG games, statistics that are not brilliant, but show an improvement in Messi during the beginning of the year.” (D)