Lionel Messi's reaction to being substituted in PSG's draw with Monaco was telling
Lionel Messi's face was an absolute picture after he was substituted in Paris Saint-Germain's 1-1 draw with Monaco.
A second half penalty from Neymar cancelled out Kevin Volland's opener to ensure the Ligue One champions remain unbeaten and top of the table after four games.
And after playing the full 90 minutes in his last 22 games for PSG, Messi was hooked by manager Christophe Galtier.
Advert
He came off the pitch in the 87th minute with PSG searching for a winner and was replaced by Pablo Sarabia.
But when the cameras panned to the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner on the bench, Messi looked less than impressed.
Messi was subbed off in the 87th minute with PSG tied 1-1 vs. Monaco. pic.twitter.com/Wvb4AO5fCs
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 28, 2022
— Out Of Context Football (@nocontextfooty) August 28, 2022
Messi was subbed off in the 87th minute with PSG tied 1-1 vs. Monaco. He did not like that. 😬 pic.twitter.com/mCmJ0AK6VY
— Gloria ⚽️ (@GloriaFootball) August 28, 2022
Normally a player of Messi's supreme qualities would only be substituted if injured or for a standing ovation in a resounding victory.
Pep Guardiola, who took his game to a different level at Barcelona, has previously gone on record to say that Messi should not come off in any circumstances.
"You have to listen very carefully to what he has to say and remember that he must never be substituted off the pitch," Guardiola is quoted as saying, as per The Mirror.
"You must not forget that he should not come off, not even at the end of the game to be applauded by the fans."
Sarabia could not inspire a late goal and only had three touches for PSG, who have ten points alongside Marseille and Lens but boast a superior goal difference.
Messi has three goals and two assists in his first four games of his second season in the French capital.
In the first half against Monaco he struck the post with a vicious strike that rebounded back into the path of Kylian Mbappe, who somehow hit the woodwork again from six yards out.
After dropping points for the first time this season, PSG will look to get back to winning ways against Toulouse on Wednesday.
Topics: Paris Saint-Germain, AS Monaco, Lionel Messi, Ligue 1
Josh Lawless