Nicolas Anelka has criticised Lionel Messi amid his difficult start to his Paris Saint-Germain career and suggested that he should face the same scrutiny as Neymar.
Messi has scored two goals in three Champions League games since joining PSG but he has yet to find the net in four appearances in Ligue 1.
Anelka, who had two spells at PSG himself, suggested that Messi's performances in France have been 'not extraordinary' despite the fact that he has won the Ballon d'Or on six occasions.
Anelka told RMC: 'Today we demand from Neymar, but we can do the same with Messi. Since the beginning of the season it is not extraordinary either. There is a player who has six Ballon d'Ors and finally is not so extraordinary.'
Neymar has also found consistency difficult to come by so far this season, with the Brazilian star having scored just once in six league games.
Anelka, however, has backed the 29-year-old to overcome those difficulties and insisted that he retains the backing of coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Anelka said: 'He is going through a difficult moment. If the coach thinks he has to play to regain his level, he makes him play. Putting it aside or replacing it to break their morale is not going to fix things.
'In addition, he has a great salary, he is a star of French and world football. He is one of the best players in the league, although right now he is fighting to show it.
'He can do nothing, as afterwards he can do everything on the field. You never know what will happen to him on the pitch. Pochettino trusts him and even without Neymar being well, the team continues to win.'
When Messi joined PSG the prospect of him playing alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe was a mouthwatering one, but Pochettino is still waiting for his side to develop more cohesion.
Mbappe has continued to impress this season, scoring five league goals, and it is anticipated that Messi and Neymar's impact will improve as the season progresses.
PSG are top of Ligue 1 by seven points and host Lille on Friday. They are also top of their Champions League group,
Messi and Mbappe were both absent from training on Thursday, with the latter suffering with an ear, nose and throat infection.
KHMMURU07
408
I am a Cr7 fan but I won't risk to label Messi season as poor because Messi might be adapting but we can never ever underestimate Messi because once this man start his stigma of scoring man it's a nightmare for opponents. And the saying goes on"Never and shouldn't never undermine Messi Calibre and attributes coz once this man start his prows it a definition of death and thruce of end game".
satyaballa
183
and you aren't ordinary even๐๐๐
lubbcmpru
147
That's what happens when u come out of ur protective Barca shell. U can't blame others for ur mistake now. Lol imagine struggling in Ligue 1[Crylaugh]
sutaklmnry
144
btw he has scored 3 goals in 3 champions league games. Atleast show correct stats
Zikciprsu
114
Don't be angry guys he is just speaking the truth, i wounder if Messi plays at premier league, he wouldn't do nothing absolutely nothing. The toughest league in the world
lubbcmpru
89
Messi fangirls have made PSG toxic just like Barcelona
Wayabckos
21
Playing in the league weekly and playing in the UCL are 2 different things
if He can score against man city, man utd etc...he will simply destroys minnows like Aston villa, Newcastle etc week in week out. EPL is a joke
Space_Man
21
Don't be angry guys he is just speaking the truth, i wounder if Messi plays at premier league, he wouldn't do nothing absolutely nothing. The toughest league in the world
And he scored a screamed against Man City?
Wayabckos
18
Don't be angry guys he is just speaking the truth, i wounder if Messi plays at premier league, he wouldn't do nothing absolutely nothing. The toughest league in the world
Just destroyed the so called toughest league champions man city. Made EPL best coach of all time Alex Ferguson shiver. EPL teams s*ck against Messi. it's a fact
Catceiot
14
That's what happens when u come out of ur protective Barca shell. U can't blame others for ur mistake now. Lol imagine struggling in Ligue 1[Crylaugh]
[image]
only played 270 minutes in ligue one,there are still lot of matches left and he is playing as a midfielder now.He is doing very good in ucl,saved your team from losing and in another ucl match he sealed the victory for psg
Wayabckos
13
That's what happens when u come out of ur protective Barca shell. U can't blame others for ur mistake now. Lol imagine struggling in Ligue 1[Crylaugh]
[image]
When you can score against man city and Leipzig in the UCL who cares about scoring against angers Brest Rennes ๐๐ certainly Messi doesn't care. He has scored enough in la Liga which is 30 times more elite than french League now Messi Only cares about UCL games.
Rizannasir
8
Don't be angry guys he is just speaking the truth, i wounder if Messi plays at premier league, he wouldn't do nothing absolutely nothing. The toughest league in the world
[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]Messi has more goals than Ronaldo against the top 6 in premier League .but Messi haven't played In premier League.[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]