Injury-hit Lionel Messi is left OUT of PSG’s trip to RB Leipzig due to hamstring and knee problems after he was taken off at half-time against Lille as a ‘precaution’ by Mauricio Pochettino
- Lionel Messi was taken off at half-time during PSG’s comeback win over Lille
- Following the game, Mauricio Pochettino said the substitution was a ‘precaution’
- The star forward struggled through the first-half and was seen clutching his leg
- The Argentine will now miss PSG’s Champions League game against RB Leipzig
- Sergio Ramos, Marco Verratti and Leo Paredes are all also sidelined for the game
Lionel Messi has been left out of Mauricio Pochettino’s 21-man squad for PSG’s Champions League trip to RB Leipzig on Wednesday.
The Argentine’s Ligue 1 woes continue as he is sidelined for the Champions League clash after feeling pain in his left hamstring and knee, according to the club’s website.
The forward was taken off at half-time during the Parisian side’s comeback victory against Lille in Ligue 1 on Friday.
Lionel Messi is left out of PSG’s squad to face RB Leipzig after being taken off against Lille
Manager Pochettino revealed the substitution was a mere ‘precaution’ after supporters aired their confusion at the change.
But Messi has now been sidelined for their group-stage game against Leipzig as the hamstring and knee problems persisted.
Messi visibly struggled during the first half and failed to make an impact as PSG fell behind to the reigning league champions with him on the pitch.
But they mounted a superb late comeback with Marquinhos levelling and Angel Di Maria scoring just two minutes from time.
Marquinhos smashed into the roof of the net at the far post to kickstart PSG’s fine comeback
Angel Di Maria (left) netted the winner, ensuring the hosts now have a 10-point lead at the top
Asked about his decision to take off the former Barcelona man, Pochettino told Amazon Prime: ‘We have to wait. We spoke with the doctor. It’s a precaution.
‘He couldn’t go on, but it’s not a big issue. He will be available for the next game.’
There were concerns raised about whether the six-time Ballon d’Or winner would have been able to feature for the league clash, after he missed PSG’s training session on Thursday.
But he was deemed fit enough to play by Pochettino, a decision which looks to have backfired as throughout his cameo, Messi was seen feeling the back of his leg.
Boss Mauricio Pochettino decision to play Messi backfired as he will miss PSG’s next game
The Argentina star visibly struggled during the Ligue 1 clash and failed to have an impact
Now he is set to miss the game in Europe, where he has scored all three of his PSG goals so far.
Messi’s blank against Lille condemned him to his fifth straight game in the French top flight without a goal.
The superstar made the sensational move to Paris last summer from his boyhood club Barcelona but has failed to hit the ground running.
Messi is yet to score in a league game but it has not derailed his side’s bid to regain the top-flight title as they sit 10 point clear of second-placed Nice.
Sergio Ramos also doesn’t feature as he continues individual training following reports the club are considering terminating his contract. The Real Madrid icon is yet to make a single appearance for PSG since joining for free in the summer after leaving the Bernabeu.
Meanwhile, Marco Verratti and Leo Paredes also remain sidelined.
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