Ligue 1 Snubs Lionel Messi from Shortlist for Prestigious Award After Underwhelming Season with PSG

Ligue 1 Snubs Lionel Messi from Shortlist for Prestigious Award After Underwhelming Season with PSG

Fred Kennedy
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:01 PM
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  • Paris Saint-Germain ace Lionel Messi will not be in the run for the Player of the Season award in France
  • Messi was snubbed from the shortlist for the prestigious award after an underwhelming campaign in his debut season in France
  • The Argentinian forward who joined PSG last summer failed to live up to his billing as he managed a paltry four goals in the French Ligue 1
  • His teammate; Kylian Mbappe, headlines a list of four others who will be hoping to cart home the gong

Ligue 1 has excluded Lionel Messi from the final shortlist for the Player of the Season award.

Messi's exclusion from the prestigious prize comes after an underwhelming debut season in the French top flight with Paris Saint-Germain.

Lionel Messi cuts a dejected figure during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg Two match between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Photo by Angel Martinez.
Lionel Messi cuts a dejected figure during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg Two match between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Photo by Angel Martinez.
Source: Getty Images

The seven-time Ballon d'Or star moved to the French capital last summer, sealing a sensational transfer to PSG from Barcelona.

Owing to his previous performances in the La Liga, many had predicted the star forward would dominate the French Ligue 1.

However, the 34-year-old has struggled for form, scoring just four league goals in 23 appearances for the Parisians.

The tally is the least he has managed in a campaign since the 2004/05 season when he broke into the Barcelona first team.

So who made the shortlist for the French Ligue 1 Player of the Season?

While Messi was overlooked for the award, Daily Mail reports his teammate, Kylian Mbappe, has made the cut for the gong.

Mbappe has been in an incredible form for PSG this term, scoring an eyewatering 27 league goals to help his side win the domestic title.

The France international who is unsettled at Parc des Princes will be hoping to clinch the award for the third time running.

However, he will be wary of stiff competition from Monaco's Wissam Ben Yedder, Marseille midfielder Dimitri Payet, Lyon's Lucas Paqueta and Martin Terrier of Rennes.

All the four players have been in perfect shape for their respective clubs in the year under review.

Photo of Kylian Mbappe packing up his belongings leaks

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Real Madrid target Kylian Mbappe looks set to depart Paris Saint-Germain this summer on a free transfer.

The France international will be out of contract at Parc des Princes at the end of the season and is yet to renew his deal.

His friend has now leaked a photo of Mbappe's belongings packed in boxes sparking speculation he is set to depart PSG.

Real Madrid are believed to be favourites to sign the 23-year-old after he reportedly agreed to an £800,000-a-week deal with them.

Authors
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Fred Kennedy
Fred Kennedy has a Bachelor's degree in journalism (Daystar University), currently working as a Sports Editor. He has more than five years of experience in digital journalism.