Observers' eyes were focused on Lionel Messi, the Paris Saint-Germain player, during the match against Real Madrid in the Round of 16 of the Champions League, but the former Barcelona legend is still searching for himself six months after joining the French capital club. His coach, Mauricio Pochettino, considers "the flea" the best player in the world and does not entertain any discussion about the legitimacy of the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, yet Messi rarely provides the reasons and evidence for others to believe what his coach has said since leaving his Catalan club for the French one.
Messi shone in the victory over Lille, the defending champion, with a score of 5-1 in the French League ten days before the European challenge, leading many to think that his real breakthrough would come against Real Madrid, but that was a mistake as Messi remained in the shadows throughout the match. He missed a penalty kick in the 62nd minute, saved by goalkeeper Courtois, marking the first penalty he has failed to convert in his history against Real Madrid, which could prove costly for his team, especially with the implementation of the away goals rule. He completed 75 passes, making him the third-most active player among the Parisians, but he did not emerge as a decisive player.
Pochettino defended his compatriot, stating: “Messi had a great game for me. He missed a penalty, but that’s football. The team played well because Leo connected all the elements.” Messi's match against Real reflects his struggles in the first six months in the French capital, marked by injuries, COVID-19, and bad luck, as he hit the post seven times in this season's league competition.
Some raise the eternal question: Will Messi be able to adapt to life in Paris and to a team that, unlike Barcelona, does not always play for him? The Argentine has three weeks to respond to this question and regain his effectiveness.
