Former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) winger Jerome Rothen has claimed that the parisians Advisor Luis Campos should remove Lionel Messi from the club instead of extending his contract.
Messi helped PSG beat LOSC Lille 4-3 in Ligue 1 at the weekend. He fired a last-minute free-kick to end the team’s dismal three-game losing streak.
However, the Argentine icon has been receiving criticism from Rothen in recent days. The former attacker explained that the superstar’s last-minute goal didn’t change the fact that he was largely disappointing against Lille.
Rothen also claimed that Messi has been a ‘sham’ since joining PSG from Barcelona in 2021. Speaking on his own show on RMC on Tuesday 21 February, the former Parisian winger reiterated his stance. He said:
“Lionel Messi has been an anomaly since he arrived. It is difficult to speak like this about a player who has marked the history of football so much, but that is the reality, unfortunately, in relation to the investment and in relation to its benefits. .
“Just. He can’t pass the course, for many reasons.”
Rothen went on to criticize Messi labeling him “an orphan from Barcelona”. He added:
“He certainly feels a bit like a Barcelona orphan. Even if he says his life has improved today, it doesn’t show on the pitch. You don’t see it, there’s no particular satisfaction on the pitch apart from maybe the free-kick on the pitch. last second against Lille”.
PSG are eager to link Messi, whose current contract expires in the summer, to a new deal, with negotiations scheduled to take place soon. However, Rothen has advised the club’s adviser, Campos, to admit that the transfer of the striker has been a failure and try to pull it off. He said:
“I am totally in the direction of the club today. Luis Campos must take responsibility, admit that the arrival of Lionel Messi was not necessarily a good thing and that it was a failure.”
How has Lionel Messi fared at PSG this season?
Lionel Messi had a comparatively disappointing campaign in his debut season at the Parc des Princes. However, he has seen himself more like himself during the current season.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored 16 goals and provided 14 assists in 27 appearances in all competitions for PSG. Now it remains to be seen if he will choose to stay at the club beyond this campaign.