LIONEL MESSI is yet to prove his worth at Paris Saint-Germain following his summer arrival.
The 34-year-old linked up with the French giants last month in a £1million-a-week deal, but he has struggled on the pitch from his three outings.
Messi has failed to score or provide an assist from his three outings for PSG, with Michael Owen stating the forward makes the club WEAKER.
And he was hooked against Lyon on Sunday despite the Ligue 1 giants searching for a winner at Parc des Princes.
He then snubbed Mauricio Pochettino’s handshake offer with the pair exchanging words as he made his way to the dugout.
Here SunSport takes a look at why Messi could be struggling to settle in France.
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PERSONAL PROBLEMS
Despite arriving to the country in August, Messi, his wife Antonela and their three children, are yet to find a permanent residence to live in.
They are currently staying at the Royal Monceau, a five-star hotel which is said to be setting him back a whopping £17,000-A-NIGHT.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner had been keen to rent a £41m castle just outside of Paris.
But he pulled out of his dream home – dubbed the ‘Pink Palace’ – after the owner demanded an extra £8.5k per month upon finding out Messi was interested.
And his Argentine compatriot and team-mate Angel Di Maria has revealed how Messi cannot escape his adoring fans due to living in the hotel.
He said: “When Leo comes to dinner, there are always motorbikes or cars nearby.
“The people here are very respectful and if we go out they’ll leave you alone.
“Now, with Leo, we have nowhere to go.”
His living situation is a far cry to his previous quiet life in Barcelona, where his swanky pad in Bellamar had a no-fly zone above his property.
NOT THE MAIN MAN
Messi was undoubtedly the top dog in Catalonia, but that isn’t the case in Paris.
His former Barca team-mate Neymar and World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe are the top two players at the club.
And this was highlighted when the duo stayed on the pitch against Lyon when looking for a winner, while Messi was substituted for right-back Achraf Hakimi.
Former PSG ace Jerome Rothen criticised Pochettino for taking him off as Messi was hauled off on his home debut without making an impact.
INJURY
But one explanation that Messi was hooked could be due to him possibly being injured.
Though Pochettino declared that he was substituted for tactical reasons, and that Messi was ‘okay’ as he walked to the dugout.
However on Tuesday, PSG announced that the 2021 Copa America champion has suffered a bone contusion on his left knee.
He is now a doubt to face Metz on Wednesday as the club await the results from his MRI scan.
HOMESICK
During his emotional press conference last month where he announced he will be leaving Barcelona, he declared he wanted to stay.
But La Liga regulations prevented Barca from re-acquiring their all-time top goalscorer’s services.
He remarked: “I was convinced to stay here at Barcelona. This is my home, our home.
“I wanted to stay at Barca and it was the plan… and today I’ve to say goodbye after my entire life here.”
Messi also stated: “I’m really sad because I didn’t want to leave this club. I love Barcelona and I wanted to stay, my contract was ready.
“I did everything in my possibility to stay.”
CRISTIANO RONALDO
Not only does Messi have pressure to deliver a first Champions League title for PSG, supporters also expect him to outperform rival Ronaldo.
The pair, who have dominated the Ballon d’Or awards since 2008, both swapped clubs this summer, with the Portuguese centre-forward returning to Manchester United.
And he has thrived since re-joining the Red Devils having banged in four goals from three games in all competitions.
With every goal that the Euro 2016 winner fires in, Ronaldo’s fanboys will take to social media to revel in Messi’s misfortune as he adapts to a new league and country.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
