Former Chelsea and Arsenal striker Nicolas Anelka has suggested that PSG star Lionel Messi is now “not so extraordinary”.
Messi won the Ballon d’Or on six occasions during his time at Barcelona. His contract with the Spanish giants expired this summer.
They were hoping to keep him, but they were unable to do so given their ongoing financial struggles.
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Messi opted to join PSG on a free transfer. He has struggled so far this term as he has failed to score from his first five Ligue 1 games.
The 34-year-old has netted in the Champions League, though. He has netted three times from PSG’s first three group games.
PSG faced Lille on Friday night. They beat their Ligue 1 rivals 2-1 but Messi was brought off at half time with his side 1-0 down.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Anelka has suggested that is not the same player for PSG:
“Today we demand from Neymar, but we can do the same with Messi. Since the beginning of the season it is not extraordinary either. There is a player who has six Ballon d’Ors and finally is not so extraordinary.
He added: “[Neymar] is going through a difficult moment. If the coach thinks he has to play to regain his level, he makes him play. Putting it aside or replacing it to break their morale is not going to fix things.
“In addition, he has a great salary, he is a star of French and world football. He is one of the best players in the league, although right now he is fighting to show it.
“He can do nothing, as afterwards, he can do everything on the field. You never know what will happen to him on the pitch. Pochettino trusts him and even without Neymar being well, the team continues to win.”
Elsewhere, Thierry Henry has suggested that Messi is “isolated” at PSG:
“He [Messi] is isolated, he is on the ball less, I wouldn’t say he’s sad, but he’s isolated. I prefer him through the middle.
“I’m having trouble with Leo out on the right. In the middle, he can set the tempo.
“Something needs to be found in order to get Mbappe, Neymar and Messi to play together.”
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