Thierry Henry believes Lionel Messi is too 'isolated' at Paris Saint-Germain and that the Ligue 1 giants should do more to get the best out of the Argentinian.
Messi signed for PSG as free agent in the summer after Barcelona's financial woes meant they could not afford to keep him, but life in France has got off to a somewhat slow start.
The six-time Ballon d'Or has scored three goals in the Champions League but is yet to open his Ligue 1 account in four domestic starts.
Henry, who played alongside Messi at Barcelona between 2007 and 2010, attributed the lack of goals to PSG's need to accommodate him alongside Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
'He [Messi] is isolated, he is on the ball less,' Henry told RMC Sport. 'I wouldn't say he's sad, but he's isolated. I prefer him through the middle.
'I'm having trouble with Leo out on the right. In the middle, he can set the tempo.
'Something needs to be found in order to get Mbappe, Neymar and Messi to play together.'
Henry said that after over a decade of being the central figure at Barcelona, Messi was having to adjust to a team not designed around him with Mbappe clearly the main focal point of PSG's attacks.
'Messi doesn't speak a lot, he speaks with the ball,' he continued.
'For now, it's Kylian's team. Kylian is the one who's making it shine most of all. The ball goes more towards him.
'At any single moment there can only be one conductor, otherwise you can't play at the same tempo. And in this team, there are too many conductors.'
Mauricio Pochettino has tended to deploy Messi on the right of a front-three, with Mbappe through the middle and Neymar out on the left.
Henry, however, suggested confining Messi to a particular area of the pitch was stifling his potential.
'I don't think he can make the difference on the right, but then I don't have the exact details from the tactical standpoint,' the former Arsenal star added.
'Obviously when you stay high up and you get out of the way, you won't have an impact. Then you have fewer balls going towards him.'
Speaking earlier this month, Messi admitted he had been surprised by the level of physicality in Ligue 1.
‘Ligue 1 is a league which is much more physical than La Liga,' he told France Football.
‘Here in Ligue 1 the teams seem more powerful to me. Most of the players are very strong.’
He also quelled concerns he may struggle to strike a partnership with Mbappe and Neymar, with whom he played for four seasons at Barcelona.
‘I’m sure it will work out well,’ Messi said. ‘With a player like Kylian, it’s easy to get along. Also, he speaks perfect Spanish.’
Desmondeyum
312
The standards are always different when it comes to Messi Because he is the G.O.A.T🐐
Futbol_MeSSiah_30
190
Messi only needs (in the ligue 1) one goal to go in then the floodgate of goals will be open just as in the UCL. Once a GOAT always a GOAT giving high-five to someone better than him
Desmondeyum
146
Betrayal that left Leo Messi shocked. 🙄😳🥺
MichaelFrolian
124
Messi is isolated at PSG, but not at Ballon d'Or ceremony in 29 Nov 7th loading Messi the 🐐
Olagaspirit
92
Messi style has always been; tactically entwined around him as the vocal or pivot of the team. we've seen this in Argentina and Barcelona. every coach must make Messi the main player through which most balls passes and ends. the real reason Messi racked up so many goals and assists is. Messi gets the ball deep in midfield dribbles and moves up the field passes the ball to attacking teammates, and end up receiving the ball back in or outside the box to score. other times he lays assists. in PSG, the team is not centered on Messi. so Messi gets the ball deep in midfield, passes attacking players, but doesn't receive most of the balls to finish in the box. why because Neymar, and Mbappe like to score as well. unless they decide to give Messi back the ball in and around the box like in the Manchester city goal and Leipzig goal. sorry Messi fans, but Messi would score goals but not like they way he did in Barcelona
ITS_D47
71
When You Start Taking Advices From S.Ramos 🟥😂
Iroe
35
The guy is not playing well simple, stop all this protection.
nieblnrtyz
29
payet🤣🤣
raeblmopyz
21
njr-10
9
whats about 8-2 position
How about 5-0, 5-1, 2-6 😁?
peocdikmp
8
The guy is not playing well simple, stop all this protection.
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so you one clip to generalise a player's percormance how convinient
Koaelmopty
8
The standards are always different when it comes to Messi Because he is the G.O.A.T🐐
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Most of the people that criticize footballers don’t even know to play football. Do you realize the camera angle you see on television is different from being on the pitch. Messi has been doing well in Argentina and so is Ronaldo in Portugal. At the clubs , the chemistry between the team mates is very important. In PSG everyone plays like a boss, no one wants to let go of the ball for the other. Di Maria wants to score, Mbappe , Gueye , Messi. If Pochettino doesn’t start controlling the players, the players will play anything. Apart from individual brilliance , team work is key and that’s what this psg team needs. We have to give these clubs ample time to grow and learn from their mistakes. Sometimes football fans talk too much without even knowing what’s on the ground. No Coach is that dumb not to see what is wrong with his team sometimes there are other factors..