Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Lionel Messi blasted by French press as patience begins to run thin with PSG star
Lionel Messi has got off to a relatively slow start since making the move to PSG from Barcelona.
Is Pochettino under huge pressure at PSG after Messi arrival?
The pressure is beginning to grow on Lionel Messi amid mounting criticism of the Argentine's performances since he made the move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain. The footballing world was left stunned when it was announced that the six-time Ballon d'Or winner would not be renewing his contract in Catalonia and would instead be plying his trade in Ligue 1.
Huge things were expected of the 34-year-old upon his arrival in the French capital, but so far he is yet to show anything near approaching his very best form.
Messi has scored in just two of the six games he has participated in, and is still waiting to open his account in Ligue 1, with all his strikes so far coming in the Champions League.
He will have another opportunity to do so when his side take on Lille on Friday night, and ahead of the match French outlet L'Equipe have made their feelings clear.
The newspaper's front page led with a picture of Messi looking disappointed, along with the headline: "Finally a good start?"
With Kylian Mbappe injured, there will be more expectation than ever on Messi being the man to make a difference against Lille.
And the publication added: "Since his arrival at PSG, Messi has not yet reached the performances he showed at Barca. There is still no concern, but impatience is beginning to spread."
It comes after former French striker Nicolas Anelka also savaged Messi's showings since his transfer, pointing out that he deserves just as much criticism as Neymar for failing to shine.
“Today we demand from Neymar, but we can do the same with Messi," Anelka said to RMC.
"Since the beginning of the season he has not been extraordinary either.
"There is a player who has six Ballon d'Ors and in the end he is not so extraordinary."
Despite their issues, PSG still sit at the top of the table, and are seven points clear of second-placed Lens.
Nevertheless, fans and pundits alike have been left highly unimpressed with Mauricio Pochettino's side's style of play, and they are in desperate need of a big win to prove a point.
Following the game against Lille PSG are back in Champions League action to face RB Leipzig next Wednesday ahead of a trip to Bordeaux the following Saturday.
The powers-that-be at Manchester United may well be following the club's progress with interest, given that they have reportedly ear-marked Pochettino as a potential long-term replacement for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
And it remains to be seen if they are able to tempt the ex-Tottenham boss to Old Trafford in the near future.