Pochettino Finally Reveals What He Said That Caused Problem Among Messi, Neymar and Mbappe

Pochettino Finally Reveals What He Said That Caused Problem Among Messi, Neymar and Mbappe

Oluwatomiwa Babalola
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:53 PM
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  • Four PSG superstars have been shortlisted for this year's Ballon d'Or award staging later this year
  • Lionel Messi tops the list while the trio of Neymar, Mbappe and Donnarumma join him on the 30-man list for the prestigious prize
  • Meanwhile, former Tottenham manager Pochettino now admits that he has created a problem in his own dressing room after backing Messi to win it

Mauricio Pochettino may have caused division in the Paris Saint Germain dressing room after backing Lionel Messi to win this year's Ballon d'Or award.

The 34-year-old who joined the Parisians on a two-year deal during the summer window was nominated alongside three three of his teammates.

Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma are among the 30 players shortlisted to contend for the prestigious prize.

Pochettino finally reveals what he said that cuased problem among Messi, Neymar and Mbappe
PSG trio Messi, Neymar and Mbappe celebrate after beating Man City in their Champions League meeting last month. Photo by Matthias Hangst
Source: Getty Images

The former Tottenham Hotspur manager has now admitted that his comments earlier in the season may have caused a problem among his stars as reported by Mirror UK.

Messi has won the award six times in his career with Cristiano Ronaldo next to him with five Ballon d'Ors.

What Mauricio Pochettino said

The publication reveal that Pochettino tipped Messi to win the award ahead of of Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski and Cristiano Ronaldo, of Manchester United. The Argentine coach said:

"The Ballon d’Or should go to Messi without any doubt. And if I didn’t coach Messi, I would still say Messi. I answer with my heart. I always say what I feel. On the podium with him would have to be Lewandowski and Cristiano."

Meanwhile, after PSG's goalless draw against Marseille over the weekend, the Argentinian tactician revealed that his comment on Messi had caused a ‘problem’ in the dressing room in Paris. Pochettino said, as per Diario Sport:

"I had a problem saying that Messi should win the Ballon d'Or. Neymar and Mbappé told me why not them. In any case, it would be great for any player from Paris to win it, but Leo deserves it."

The record six-time Ballon d’Or winner is many people’s favourites to add another title to his collection.

Lionel Messi joins top contenders for Ballon d'Or award

Legit.ng earlier reported that after his Copa America glory back in the summer, Argentine legend Lionel Messi joins a few contenders for this year’s coveted Balon d’Or award.

The former Barcelona captain also had a terrific season before he was forced out of the Spanish club as he joins French Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain during the summer, MEN reports.

Also, Champions League winners for Chelsea Jorginho and N’Golo Kante are also tipped to contend with Messi for the prestigious award, but Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski cannot be ruled out.

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