PSG vs Lyon: Lionel Messi snubs handshake from manager Pochettino after being substituted early – Lionel Messi was visibly upset after he was substituted early in the game against Lyon and snubbed a handshake from head coach Mauricio Pochettino as he walked onto the bench. The Ligue 1 giants were deadlocked 1-1 against rivals Lyon when Pochettino signalled for Achraf Hakimi to come on instead of the six-time Ballon d’Or winner. Messi was surprised and disappointed and made it a point to make his frustrations known.
PSG vs Lyon: Lionel Messi snubbed a handshake from PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino after being substituted with 15 minutes to go in tonight’s match with Lyon at the Parc des Princes. PSG’s new signing ignored Pochttino’s outstretched arm expressing his disappointment after being substituted before walking onto the bench. The Argentine had a good outing on the pitch, and came close to scoring his first goal for PSG, but was unlucky not to find his name on the scoresheet before his number was called on by the fourth official.
Messi didn’t shake hands with Pochettino pic.twitter.com/od8JkMfH0X
— Drizzy (@messiprimes) September 19, 2021
In the first half, was denied after a brilliant break by Neymar and also hit the woodwork from a trademark, beautiful freekick. Mauricio Pochettino went all in for the game naming an attacking line-up, with Di Maria, Neymar and Mbappe all starting alongside Messi at the Parc des Princes. But for all their flair, PSG failed to add anything to an early Neymar penalty, with Lyon eventually equalising through Lucas Pacqueta. Messi was then substituted with 15 minutes to go. The six-time Ballon d’Or winner, who was making his home dut was hauled off after failing to score and said something to Pochettino as he made his way to the bench.
PSG vs Lyon: Pochettino’s substitutions were vindicated in added time, with substitute Mauro Icardi guiding a Mbappé cross home to maintain the French giants’ 100% start to the new season. The PSG boss defended his decision to take off Messi, claiming that he ha sa hyge squad at his disposal, meaning he might have to make some difficult choices.
Pochettino said, “Everyone knows we have great players on the team. We have a very rich squad of 35 players. Then we have to make choices. With the 11 who must start. And then we have to make decisions during the game. Sometimes these choices pay off and sometimes they don’t. But that’s why we’re standing in front of the bench thinking about what to do. And those decisions that you have to make, whether things go well or not. Whether you like it or not.”
