“If He Had Respected the Club” – Days After ‘Disappearing in Big Games’ Jibe, Lionel Messi Slammed for His ‘Too Average Record’ at PSG

The arrival of Lionel Messi at PSG made headlines. Fans anticipated the move to change the fortunes of the club, especially in the UEFA Champions League. However, they saw the club bowing out of the quarterfinals in two seasons with Messi. The seven-time Ballon d’Or attracted regular criticism from fans and former PSG players.

Jerome Rothen has been vocal in criticizing Messi. Rothen slammed the Argentine after PSG lost to Bayern Munich for disappearing during the game. Now with two games to go, Rothen took another swipe at the World Cup winner, who is on the brink of breaking a Ligue 1 record.

PSG legend with another swipe at Lionel Messi

The Ligue 1 season is approaching its end with two games remaining. Statistically, it has been a better season for Messi than his debut season. He dwelled in a telepathic partnership with Kylian Mbappe. It has made the former Barcelona talisman a contender to break the league’s assist record. Messi has 16 assists this season, two away from leveling with his national teammate Angel di Maria.

Jerome Rothen feels the seven-time Ballon d’Or will break the record with two games in hand. However, the former French international thinks it is below par for a player like Messi. The Argentine wizard broke several goal-scoring and assists records at Barcelona and Argentina. “It’s paradoxical to put this forward and to be so disappointed with his regularity,” Rothem said while speaking to Le Parisien via Paris Fans. 

“By being much more invested and more combative, if he had respected the club a little more, he would have 30 goals and 35 assists. This title of best passer will not hide his too average record. After that, we talk about Messi. When you’ve won seven Ballon d’Or, a World Cup and as many titles, I think beating Angel Di Maria or Jerome Rothen doesn’t care,” Rothen said while taking a fresh jibe at Messi.

Rothen blasted Messi recently for poor performances in big games

Since QSI took over PSG, their ultimate aim has been winning the Champions League. They made big signings to achieve the dream, with Lionel Messi being one of them. The club anticipated they have put the last piece of the puzzle in place. But it wasn’t the case.

READ MORE: ‘Never Madly in Love With Cristiano Ronaldo’, Portuguese Star Snubs CR7 While Picking Lionel Messi’s Childhood Hero as Favorite Player

Messi went missing in big games. His performances against Real Madrid last season and Bayern Munich this season attracted criticism. And Rothen didn’t hold back, as he slammed the Argentine for going missing in the crucial games. With Messi’s future away from PSG, it is safe to say that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner had a below-par stint in Paris.

WATCH THIS STORY: American Athletes With Ownership in Soccer Teams

Had Lionel Messi made a mistake by joining PSG after leaving FC Barcelona?