Time to stop expecting much from Messi?

 Time to stop expecting much from Messi?

Nearly two-thirds of the season has passed, but the mark Lionel Messi left in the French capital is just like his own shadow.

The Argentine superstar has the opportunity to make his mark in one of the most important matches of the 2021/22 season against Real Madrid. But he missed it. Messi's performance is not good enough against Real by the very standards he has set in his career.

Lionel Messi brother 1

Messi has not met expectations since arriving at Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window of 2021. Photo: Reuters.

The numbers are backward

When the leadership of Paris Saint-Germain successfully recruited Messi 6 months ago, the whole French capital was almost crazy. Kylian Mbappe or Neymar could be top stars. But none of them are at the level and status of superstars like Messi.

Nearly a decade has passed since the day Qatar Sports Investment Fund (QSI) bought PSG, the new French team owns one of the two superstars that have dominated the football world.

Domestic titles are no longer the number one goal of PSG. The new Champions League is the biggest priority of the Qatari owners. They brought Messi to the Parc des Princes to serve their ambition to reach the top of Europe. But what Messi has done for PSG so far this season is not commensurate with the financial favors and expectations of the team's leadership.

Leo has only scored 7 goals and has 8 assists in 21 appearances for PSG this season. That achievement was poor compared to his past self. Messi received the 7th Ballon d'Or in his career in Paris, but it was to honor what the player did for Barcelona and Argentina.

Before Real Madrid, Leo's team did not score a goal in the past 4 years, the 34-year-old superstar failed on the penalty spot. Champions League is often a playground for Messi to assert himself if his achievements in the national league are not good. This year's half of the season is no exception. Messi scored 5 goals in the Champions League 2021/22, including moments of ecstasy against Man City or Leipzig.

If not counting his achievements in Europe, Messi has only scored 2 goals in 15 appearances in Ligue 1 this season, a number that shocks many people. In the last 12 seasons playing for Barcelona, ​​Messi has averaged 1 goal every 88 minutes. On average, every 60 minutes, Messi imprints his shoes on 1 goal (create or score). This season, Messi took 243 minutes to get 1 goal for PSG.

The fact that Mbappe scored in the last minute of the match against Real Madrid could save Messi from the prospect of committing a crime if PSG do not win. However, one has the right to question that if Messi beat Thibaut Courtois on the penalty spot in the 62nd minute, how easy will PSG be?

At the age of 34, Messi looks like an old general who plays without motivation and vitality against Real Madrid. Leo has 23 attempts to lose the ball. His tackles were slower than usual, leading to the Argentine superstar having only two non-dangerous shots into Real Madrid's goal.