Arsenal Legend and Former Barcelona Striker Reveals Why Lionel Messi Is Struggling in Ligue 1

Arsenal Legend and Former Barcelona Striker Reveals Why Lionel Messi Is Struggling in Ligue 1

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:51 PM
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  • Thierry Henry has explained that Lionel Messi needs to play in a more central position for French club Paris Saint-Germain
  • The Argentine legend is yet to score a goal in the French Ligue 1 since his blockbuster move to Paris during the summer
  • Henry has now urged Mauricio Pochettino to deploy the superstar as a frontman in a bid to get the best out of him

Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has narrated why legendary Lionel Messi is struggling in the Ligue 1 since the Argentine joined Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has now featured in four league matches since his switch from Barcelona and is yet to score a goal in the French topflight.

It is now his worst scoring start to a league season since 2005 when he began his career as a senior player.

Arsenal Legend and Former Barcelona Striker Reveals Why Lionel Messi Is Struggling in Ligue 1
Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi celebrate a goal during thier days at Barcelona. Photo: Christophe Simon
Source: Getty Images

Messi now plays in the right-side of the three-man PSG attack under manager Mauricio Pochettino, with Kylian Mbappe in the central role while Neymar starts from the left.

Complete Sports are reporting that instead of their regular 4-3-3 formation, the Parisians changed to a 4-2-3-1, yet Messi’s right-sided position remained unchanged.

And Henry has now called on the PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino to move Messi into a more central position.

Henry said on Amazon prime via Mirror:

“Messi is isolated and does not touch the ball too much. I would not say that he is sad, but I see that his position is isolated.
“I prefer him in the centre, and I do not think he can make a difference from the right. He is having a bad time and the centre he can find rhythm.
“There has to be a solution found so that they [Messi, Mbappe and Neymar] can play together. I don’t have the exact data at a tactical level, but I think he is having less impact. He participates infrequently."

Ronaldinho reunites with Messi, Neymar in Paris

Meanwhile, former Brazilian international Ronaldinho who was at the Parc des Princes to see PSG’s 3-2 win over RB Leipzig in the Champions League as described Neymar and Lionel Messi as good friends.

The Brazilian legend met the former Barcelona duo on Tuesday as he was in attendance as a guest of honour for the French club.

PSG was Ronaldinho’s first club in Europe having left Brazil back in 2001 to join the Parisians where he later became a cult hero.

Pitch invader attempts to grab Messi

Legit.ng earlier reported that Messi was approached by a Marseille fan who beat the stadium security during the highly entertaining encounter.

The Argentine was in an attacking position when the supporter stormed the pitch to reach him as the match was temporarily stopped.

The fan was hurled off the field with a few minutes left in the game but Marseille could be punished for other incidents during the game.

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Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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