Whether you are an unconditional or layman of football, it is likely that those around you are already basking you with the Ballon d’Or, the 2021 winner of which will be known on Monday, November 29. Many names are among the favorites, but that of Lionel Messi, six-time winner, is undoubtedly the one that comes back with the most insistence.
But despite his 30 goals in the last La Liga and his Copa America victory with Argentina, Messi expected to shine with Paris Saint-Germain. Sunday, November 28, during the Parisian victory at Geoffroy-Guichard (1-3), the light has perhaps come.
– Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) November 28, 2021
The famous “reference match” will wait, because the Pulga has not splashed its class this Saint-Etienne-PSG either. He showed himself, like his team, inconstant: stammering in the first act, then domineering once the Greens reduced to ten. But to tell the truth, it is rather the club of the capital which evolved in tune with its Argentinian playmaker. The conductor delivered the tempo and, despite a few wrong notes, the overall content was satisfactory.
Satisfying, because Messi, despite shining for 90 minutes, was decisive on all three goals. With a free kick placed on the head of Marquinhos (45th + 2), a tasty exterior for Di Maria then a new cross on the skull of his captain, the Argentinian unblocked the meeting. A performance only achieved three times in the long career of the former Barcelona. To put into perspective, all the same, given the events of the match: the explosion of Kolodziejczak before the break opened up many spaces, especially visible on the second goal.
3 – Lionel Messi delivered the 3rd assist treble of his league career after March 12, 2016 (v Getafe) and February 9, 2020 (v Betis) with Barcelona. Gifts. #ASSEPSG pic.twitter.com/KwZ5EVOtsM
– OptaJean (@OptaJean) November 28, 2021
When the Greens were at eleven, Messi did not have the same performance. We even saw it borrowed against the pressing of Stéphanois solidaires, missing a priori innocuous passes. But he was the only Parisian able to create anything to get out of trouble under the Forézienne snow. His statistics are far from exceptional: with 64 successful passes (83%), he is behind Di Maria and the Ramos launch pad.
On arrival, this role of playmaker in support of Kylian Mbappé suits his profile and his advanced age. More, in any case, than its position on the right side of the Parisian attack, as in Manchester on Wednesday. Everything is not yet perfect, and the number 30 of the PSG does not yet show the performance of the Barcelona “D10S”.
But the simple fact of chaining the tenure – between Nantes, Manchester City and Saint-Etienne, Messi has played 90 minutes three times in a row, a first in Paris – is already a promising development. After a difficult start, the Pulga, freed for two months from round trips in selection, has perhaps definitely taken the measure of its new environment.