Messi ruled out of PSG's match against Metz
Thompson Nsisongabasi
Sep 21, 2021
Lionel Messi will miss Paris Saint-Germain's game away to Metz on Wednesday due to a knee injury.
READ ALSO: How Nigerian, Cameroonian Forces Stopped Militants From Bombing Vessels In Bakassi Peninsula
The Argentine star underwent an MRI on Tuesday after taking a knock to his left knee during Sunday's 2-1 win against Lyon.
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
The club said results showed signs of bone bruising.
READ ALSO: EXPL0SIVE: Demons In Aso Rock - Doyin Okupe Reveals Details
Messi was replaced by Achraf Hakimi, a full-back, after 76 minutes against Lyon, on his first home appearance as a PSG player since arriving from Barcelona.
READ ALSO: Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
The 34-year-old appeared to reject Pochettino's hand as he walked past his coach towards the Paris bench but the former Tottenham Hotspur boss later defended his decision to take Messi off without mentioning the injury.
On Tuesday he admitted that Messi's fitness was the reason he made the change with the scores level at the time.
"On the touchline we are always observing the players, seeing what is happening during the match, and we saw that Leo was looking at his knee," Pochettino told reporters.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: 5 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Nigeria |SEE LOCATIONS
"We are pleased with the way he played. He played very well in the first half, and the only thing missing was a goal.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Nigeria records 16 new cases of COVID-19| SEE LOCATIONS
"He played for 76 minutes and with all the information we had we decided to take him off," added Pochettino, who said he accepted that substituting a player of Messi's status might surprise observers.
READ ALSO: Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
"Of course I understand the situation and I accept it as it is.
READ ALSO: VIDEO: How Police 'arrested #EndSARS promoter' in Lagos to Abuja
"It is not a surprise for me, but the priority is always the well-being of the player and in this case, we thought it was the best thing for him to take him off.
READ ALSO: Julius Berger donates 150 bags of rice, condiments to Kuje council
"All great champions always want to be on the pitch and that is understandable."
READ ALSO: Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
Mauro Icardi's stoppage-time headed goal secured victory for PSG against Lyon, leaving them with six wins out of six in Ligue 1 this season and already five points clear of second-placed Marseille, albeit having played a game more.
READ ALSO: How Nigerian, Cameroonian Forces Stopped Militants From Bombing Vessels In Bakassi Peninsula
They will be expected to keep their run going away to a Metz side who are winless and prop up the division, although Pochettino may heavily rotate his squad.
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
PSG are at home to Montpellier at the weekend, when it remains to be seen if Messi will return. They then host Manchester City in the Champions League next Tuesday, September 28.
READ ALSO: EXPL0SIVE: Demons In Aso Rock - Doyin Okupe Reveals Details
"We have a squad of 35 players. They all deserve to play but there are not enough places," admitted Pochettino.
READ ALSO: Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
The Argentine manager has also come in for criticism for the way his all-star team played against Lyon and in last week's 1-1 draw at Club Brugge in the Champions League.
Those were the first two matches in which Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe had all played together, but Pochettino says he needs time to get his ideas across.
"In general, in the past, in normal times, you had six or seven weeks in pre-season, lots of friendly matches to work on things.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: 5 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Nigeria |SEE LOCATIONS
"Now we need to try things as we go along, during games. It is not a situation we like much but we have to get used to it."
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Nigeria records 16 new cases of COVID-19| SEE LOCATIONS
There is a full round of games in France on Wednesday with Marseille aiming to continue their unbeaten start away at Angers.
Related Stories
David Raya is the best goalkeeper in the world, says Arsenal team-mate Kai Havertz after Sporting heroics
Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
Who has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Who do England and Scotland play? Could Lionel Messi face Cristiano Ronaldo?
Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
""
— Thompson Nsisongabasi