Lionel Messi would not get close to the starting line-up of a combined Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid XI.
That is the view of one former Champions League star, with Samir Nasri omitting the Argentine great from his team when asked to compile one ahead of Wednesday night's clash.
Messi has endured a difficult time adapting to life in France since leaving Barcelona in the summer.
He recently equalled an unwanted record by failing to register a single shot on target for the capital outfit during their recent Ligue 1 clash with Nice.
He has scored just twice in the league this season, and has a total of just seven goals. His struggles were illustrated in the first leg too when he saw his penalty saved by Thibaut Courtois at Parc des Princes.
With Nasri's squad, which he delivered in an interview with L'Equipe, based mainly on current form and availabilty, it is perhaps not too suprising that the Argentine missed out.
Instead, the former Manchester City and Arsenal star opted a front three that included Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema and Neymar.
On Messi's team-mate Mbappe, Nasri said: 'He is the best player in the world at the moment.
'His team's game is not the same with and without him, and we are talking about a team with Messi, Neymar, Di Maria!'
Nasri picks Benzema ahead of Messi to spearhead his team, insisting his former France team-mate 'is better now than when he was younger.'
'If he's absent, it's like the Gobi desert for Real Madrid. In terms of No 9s, a part from Lewandowski. Nobody sits at his table.'
Elsewhere, Nasri picks Neymar over Vinicius, despite admitting that the Real Madrid star has perhaps been in better form this season, while he also opts for Gianluigi Donnarumma over Thibaut Courtois, depsite his impressive season for Carlo Ancelotti's side.
Nasri is currently working as a pundit for Canal+ in France, having hung up his boots in 2020.
The 34-year-old ended his playing career in Belgium with Anderlecht, having spent the majority of it in England where he played for Arsenal and won two Premier League titles with Manchester City.
Barcalover
292
People don't know this because Messi is not scoring many goals time season.
Rtdkola
254
First player to ever do so.
Mariosuarez2
194
Who is nasri It’s high time before any one talk about Messi the person should have at least 2 ballon dor before he talks about Messi This nasri sounds familiar I think is the same nasri that was banged average at city before pep dumped him on the trash bin
Aaalmuraisi0292
96
You people are ridiculous. Players like Messi and Ronaldo are the greatest that ever played the game. Whether they score or not, if they play or don't play won't change the fact that they are on a different level and THE BEST. All the trashing and undeserved criticism won't change the facts. Their statistics and accomplishments speak louder than your worthless and unfounded words of criticism.
Orion28
28
People don't know this because Messi is not scoring many goals time season.
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Bro I watch every single match of psg and every second. Mbappe is only one carrying psg stop spread false information please
Imposible
22
People don't know this because Messi is not scoring many goals time season.
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That’s mbappe tho
Cupcmntu
17
People don't know this because Messi is not scoring many goals time season.
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PSG without mbappe is like a tea without sugar
Golden25
17
People don't know this because Messi is not scoring many goals time season.
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PSG is actually carrying messi burden .
stormlegend4321
17
People don't know this because Messi is not scoring many goals time season.
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barcalover under PSG badge, how many excuses u have to defend messi, huh after he robbed the deserving ballondor contestants......... he is not carrying the burden, he is the burden
cukeilmru
16
People don't know this because Messi is not scoring many goals time season.
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Will you keep quiet messi is doing nothing at PSG absolutely nothing…
myklm
11
People don't know this because Messi is not scoring many goals time season.
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talk talk
PrometheusZeus
9
People don't know this because Messi is not scoring many goals time season.
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Messi? [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh] it's mbappe