Former Manchester City star Sergio Aguero has dubbed the French media "a**holes" following their criticism of his Argentina teammate Lionel Messi after he missed a straightforward penalty in PSG's 1-0 victory over Real Madrid on Tuesday.
Aguero, who hanged his boots in December last year, has now come out in defence of the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, emphasising that Messi's performance wasn't as bad as it is being made out by the country's press.
"What sh** this Leo penalty story [sic]. He played well, broke lines. He was good and very active. In France, magazines and newspapers killed him. They are a**holes", Aguero told radio station RMC.
Aguero's remarks came after French revered newspaper L'Equipe gave Messi only three out of 10 ratings after its assessment of the ex-Barcelona skipper's display against the Spanish giants.
The publication even declared that it was "sad" to see Messi playing like this before calling it a "worrying" sign for Mauricio Pochettino ahead of the second leg of their last 16 Champions League clash which would be played at the Santiago Bernabeu on 9 March.
"There's something sad about seeing him like that. He weighs down his record with his failed or blocked attempts (53rd, 75th) and this penalty saved. This Messi is worrying", the media outlet wrote.
Messi has only hit the net seven times in 21 matches for PSG in all competitions this season and has looked out of touch on most occasions, seemingly finding it hard to settle down in both a new club and city.