PSG Legend Tears Lionel Messi Apart for ‘Ghosting’ in Big Matches

• Lionel Messi has been accused of ghosting in big matches
• The 35-year-old and his PSG teammates were beaten convincingly over both legs of their last-16 tie against Bayern
• He will now turn his attention to helping Les Parisiens seal an 11th Ligue 1 crown

Paris Saint-Germain legend Jerome Rothen has singled out Lionel Messi for criticism after the French champions were dumped out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich.

The Ligue 1 leaders were beaten convincingly across two legs, enduring yet another dismal showing in Europe.

Despite boasting of a lethal attack comprising Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, PSG struggled to score a goal in over 180 minutes of action, per Sportskeeda.

Messi, the world's reigning best men's player, was largely kept quiet by Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt and Leon Goretzka.

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After the defeat, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner came under scathing criticism from Rothen, who accused Messi of 'disappearing' when the club needs him the most.

“We don’t want him. He’s not invested in the club. 18 goals and 16 assists is all well and good against Angers and Clermont, but he disappears in big games. It’s a joke," he said, as quoted by Football Tweet.

Rothen added: "We’ve seen what he can do [in the World Cup]. He doesn’t help PSG in the slightest.”

Messi blamed for PSG exit

For the past two seasons, the Argentinian superstar has failed to score or register an assist for PSG in the competition's knockout phase.

As noted by PSG Talk, football pundit Jerome Rothen said Messi deserves to take at least some of the blame for the Parisians’ early exit.

“He is unfit for the high level with this state of mind. Do you think it’s normal to see Messi like that? I blame him; he was moved in all the duels,” he said.

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Messi's future hangs in the balance

Paris Saint-Germain’s early Champions League exit is destined to have consequences following another disastrous campaign in Europe.

The Parisians were dumped out of the prestigious club competition in the round of 16 stage for the second consecutive season after suffering a 3-0 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich.

The futures of Mbappe, Messi, and Neymar at the club are clouded with uncertainty. Another disappointing campaign in Europe might lead to the breakup of PSG’s superstar frontline, Sports Brief reported.