Lionel Messi's PSG Struggles Continue as Argentina Star Creates Unwanted Record in Draw vs Troyes

© AFP 2023 / ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULATParis Saint-Germain's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi reacts at the end of the French L1 football match between Paris-Saint Germain (PSG) and ES Troyes AC at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on May 8, 2022. -
Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi reacts at the end of the French L1 football match between Paris-Saint Germain (PSG) and ES Troyes AC at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on May 8, 2022. - - Sputnik International, 1920, 09.05.2022
Subscribe
At Barcelona, Lionel Messi was a goal-scoring behemoth who used to hit the back of the net in almost every game the Catalans played, recording 672 strikes in 778 games there. But his fortunes have taken a major hit since joining Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) last summer, as the Argentine has struggled to impress in the French capital.
Lionel Messi's bad luck with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) continued as the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner went on to hit the woodwork twice in their draw against Troyes on Sunday.
After Marquinhos and Neymar produced goals in the 6th and 25th minute respectively, powering PSG to a 2-0 lead in the early stages of the contest, Troyes appeared to be on the ropes.
However, Ike Ugbo and Florian Tardieu had other ideas as the pair levelled things up to share a point each at the Parc des Princes.
Messi, on the other hand, stretched his scoreless streak to three matches, but not before he missed two golden opportunities to get on the scoreboard in the Ligue 1 game.
After Messi hit the frame of the goal on two different occasions against Troyes, he has now been denied a goal by the post and bar at least 10 times this season - more than any other player since football statistics firm Opta started tracking such numbers beginning in 2006-07.
PSG head coach Mauricio Pochettino blamed Messi's bad luck for his misses in the match.
"I think Lionel Messi has had a lack of good fortune. It's unbelievable", Pochettino told Amazon Prime Video after the game.
"We could have won the game on the last play when he hit the crossbar. It's one of those seasons. It happens to all players, even the best, because it's hard to find a better player than Messi. He's had so many good seasons. I think he's had a lack of good fortune unfortunately", the 50-year-old manager added.
Since arriving in Paris, Messi has only scored four goals for the French outfit in Ligue 1.
With just two more games left in the country's top domestic tournament, the ex-Barca talisman is on his way to recording his worst career numbers (goals) in more than 15 years.
Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала