Pochettino: Why Messi has flopped

Mauricio Pochettino has explained the reasons why Lionel Messi has struggled so badly during his first season at PSG.

Messi completed a shock Free Transfer to PSG last summer after he was unable to sign a new contract with Barcelona.

The Argentine legend broke virtually every record during over 20 years at Camp Nou, scoring an incredible 672 goals in 778 games.

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However, Messi has been slammed by fans and the media following a disappointing first season at the Parc des Princes.

He has scored just four Ligue 1 goals this season and then performed poorly as PSG were dumped out of the Champions League – capitulating from 2-0 up on aggregate to lose 3-2 to Real Madrid in the last-16.

PSG boss Pochettino has defended his countryman, explaining the reasons why he has not replicated his Barcelona heroics in Paris.

"We’re not talking about an ordinary player, Messi is on the same level as Diego Maradona," Pochettino has told RMC Sport.

"It is clear that his move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain was a big change, in which an adaptation process was necessary. Certain circumstances didn’t allow him to feel as comfortable as he did at Barcelona where he’d spent 20 years. Where he had been the standard-bearer of the club.

"To judge Messi in this way is unfair. I have no doubts about his quality… Next season will be a completely different season for him.

"This has been a year of learning, and not only at the professional level in coming to Paris, in a new league and with new team-mates, but also at the level of family. This must be taken into account. It’s a major upheaval that can affect a player."

Messi’s form in 2022 has been slightly better and he now has 13 assists this season, but his goal-tally is such that it is hard to argue that he has failed to live up to expectations.