Ex France Star ‘Attacks’ Lionel Messi for Missing Penalty Against Real Madrid, Urges Pochettino to Bench Him

• Lionel Messi has been under heavy criticism in France following his performance in PSG’s 1-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League
• The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner failed to score his penalty after goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved his spot-kick
• Kylian Mbappe rescued the Parisians with a late goal, but Messi is under fire for his performance in the game

Argentine legend Lionel Messi is being bashed from the right, left and center across France following his performance for PSG in their Champions League first leg against Real Madrid.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner missed a spot-kick as he saw Thibaut Courtois save his penalty, but the Parisians eventually won the tie courtesy of a late goal by Kylian Mbappe.

Now Messi has been on the receiving end for his performance in the game with French outlet L’Equipe giving him a 3/10 rating.

Although he played well during the encounter, by the standards of the 34-year-old, it was below par and former PSG star Jerome Rothen didn’t hold back on his criticism. Rothen said via PSG Talk:

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“It’s far from being a success, Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain. It’s a false good idea. He’s the best player, perhaps, all generations combined that football has known. Nevertheless, I’m tired of hearing people say that we can’t criticize Messi.

“Lionel Messi’s corners are a sham. If it’s not him who takes them like that, with also a Lack of concentration and determination, the guy is massacred. Di Maria, who takes corners as Messi does, Di Maria is booed at the Parc at the second corner. We let him pass."

Finally, the RMC Sport concludes that he should see the bench if Messi doesn’t figure things out soon.

“There is also his attitude. When the guy misses a pass, a dribble, a penalty, a corner, he looks at his shoes and never questions himself. After a while, he has to take more about him, and you have to accept that it’s a false good idea.”

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Mbappe speaks on PSG future

Sports Brief earlier reported that Kylian Mbappe says he has not yet decided his future, after scoring the winner that helped PSG beat Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 first leg.

The Frenchman was the star of the show on Tuesday night and his superb performance was summed up with an important goal, deep in stoppage time.

He ran between two defenders to slot home a goal in the 94th minute as PSG secured a crucial 1-0 win at Parc des Princes.