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Tag: PSG

  • Messi scores as PSG clinch French Ligue 1 title

    Messi scores as PSG clinch French Ligue 1 title

    Lionel Messi scored a fine goal as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) sealed the Ligue 1 title in spite of being pegged back late on by Lens in a 1-1 draw.

    PSG went into the game at the Parc des Princes knowing a point would be enough to claim a record-tying 10th Ligue 1 title.

    They were then hoping to get the job done in style on home turf.

    Lens had Kevin Danso sent off in the 57th minute, and 11 minutes later Messi effectively clinched the title with a magnificent long-range goal.

    Yet the title-winning moment was spoiled somewhat.

    Slack PSG defending allowed Corentin Jean to steal in at the far post and ensure the hosts secured the trophy with a damp squib rather than a bang.

    Mauricio Pochettino’s men were booed off by the home fans at half-time.

    Seko Fofana and Danso spurned early chances for Lens before Achraf Hakimi and Neymar went close for PSG.

    PSG were improved after the break.

    Kylian Mbappe was denied by Jean-Louis Leca’s save and Christopher Maurice Wooh’s goal-line clearance from the rebound following Marco Verratti’s quickly-taken free-kick.

    Danso paid the price for a rash challenge on Neymar on the edge of the penalty area as he received a second yellow card.

    Although Leca turned Messi’s subsequent free-kick behind, he could do nothing to prevent the Argentina international’s thunderbolt from finding the net 10 minutes later.

    It was a trademark Messi finish, his 25-yard shot lacking in perfect placement but possessing both the bend and velocity to leave Leca with no chance.

    Yet the frustration that defined much of the evening returned in the 88th minute.

    That was when Jean slid in to turn home Deiver Machado’s ball across the face of goal and dampen the celebrations.

  • Neymar, Mbappe strike as PSG beat Marseille

    Neymar, Mbappe strike as PSG beat Marseille

    Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) came out on top 2-1 in a tight tussle with Marseille in Sunday’s Classique, with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe securing the bragging rights.

    All three goals were scored before half-time in a match that was far from being a classic between Ligue 1’s top two teams.

    Duje Caleta-Car had cancelled out Neymar’s opener, before Mbappe struck from the penalty kick spot to restore parity.

    Marseille had what they thought was an equaliser disallowed by VAR late on.

    The win maintains PSG’s strong form after Mauricio Pochettino’s side won their previous two fixtures 5-1 and 6-1.

    It moves them closer to putting the finishing touches to regaining the Ligue 1 title.

  • I don’t speak with Messi, no plans to re-sign him – Laporta

    I don’t speak with Messi, no plans to re-sign him – Laporta

    Barcelona president Joan Laporta admits he no longer speaks with Lionel Messi after his controversial move to PSG.

    Laporta was excited at the idea of Messi being present for the inauguration of the new Camp Nou, even though it’s a long way away, because it would be “beautiful.”

    However, he recognised that “there’s no personal contact, I remember him with affection and I hope he feels the same. It was not easy for me, I would have liked things to go differently, but as they happened, I thought of the institution first and I think we did what we had to do.”

    In that sense, he doesn’t see any chance of Messi coming back as a player: “We’re not considering it. We’re building a new team with young players, but he deserves respect.”

    Laporta added: “I don’t speak with him, I don’t have fluid communication with him like before he left. We hear comments from people close to him… Barcelona pulls you a lot and when you leave you miss the city, Barça, he had a great life here. I felt worse for the personal and family side of things than the other, but also that.”

  • Mauricio Pochettino meets with Man Utd officials

    Mauricio Pochettino meets with Man Utd officials

    Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino has interviewed for the Manchester United job.

    After last week’s talks between Ajax coach Erik ten Hag and United, it was Pochettino’s turn in recent days.

    Foot Mercato says the Argentine has met with United officials to discuss his interest in the manager’s position.

    The meeting broke up with Pochettino being informed that no immediate decision about the appointment would be made.

    There is an expectation that Pochettino will leave PSG this summer, a year before his contract expires.

  • 2021 Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi advised to quit PSG

    2021 Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi advised to quit PSG

    Former France International and PSG winger Jerome Rothen, has advised Argentine Forward and 2021 Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi not to consider staying at PSG.

    Rothen told Lionel Messi to leave the French Ligue 1 giants once the summer transfer window opens.

    Rothen believes Messi’s love story with PSG was not meant to be.

    Messi joined PSG from Barcelona last summer after the Catalan club failed to renew his contract due to La Liga regulations.

    The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has been heavily criticized for his performances for PSG so far this season.

    The 34-year-old is currently away on international duty in Argentina.

    However, a change in the atmosphere is not going to do Messi, who was recently booed by PSG fans, any good, according to Rothen.

    “Will his ten days with Argentina make the rest of the season better with PSG? I’m sceptical. His love story with PSG wasn’t meant to be.

    “For everyone’s benefit, I think he should leave in June. This is my opinion.” Rothen said.

    Lionel Messi is in the camp of Argentina and expected to be fielded for Qatar 2022 qualification games against Venezuela and Ecuador.

  • Messi absent as PSG lose scandalously to Monaco in Ligue 1

    Messi absent as PSG lose scandalously to Monaco in Ligue 1

    Paris Saint-Germain remain on top of the log with 15 points difference ahead of second place Merseille in French Ligue 1 but lost scandalously to Monaco on Sunday.

    PSG were beaten by Monaco 3-0 Wissam Ben Yedder double strike, as Neymar and Kylian Mbappe were both booked in a feisty Ligue 1 encounter.

    Ballon D’or winner Argentine Lionel Messi was missing in action due to flu as Neymar and Mbappe fired blanks in the fiesty encounter.

    The loss meant that Mauricio Pochettino’s men suffered their fourth loss of the season in the French Ligue 1

    Second place Nice can now reduce the points to12 if they beat Marseille later on sunday.

     

    Monaco captain Ben Yedder is now Ligue 1’s top scorer with 18 goals after his 25th minute tap-in from a rebound, and an 84th minute penalty.

    Ben Yedder also helped in the build-up for German striker Kevin Volland’s goal for Monaco, making it 2-0 on 68 minutes in what was the real turning point of the game as PSG began to chase.

    Mbappe and Neymar started for PSG and had a string of opportunities as the visitors enjoyed the lion’s share of possession.

    Speaking after the encounter French forward Kyllian Mbappe said that PSG are still feeling the effect of the loss to Real Madrid in the UCL.

    “We could win 8-0 and nobody would care, they’d just be thinking about the Champions League,” he said.

    “We need to remain professional, think of our families,” said Mbappe, who was full of praise for his old club.

    “They are a great team, playing in European competition,” said the 23-year-old.

  • Lionel Messi unhappy at PSG – Dani Alves

    Lionel Messi unhappy at PSG – Dani Alves

    Barcelona fullback Daniel Alves expects Lionel Messi to leave PSG this summer.

    Alves is a former PSG player, himself, and won everything in the game alongside Messi at Barca.

    He told ESPM, “For me, Leo isn’t enjoying himself, for me he’s out of place there.

    “I’m going to say something that Leo always told me: ‘where are you going to be better than here?’ And I proved it.

    “And hopefully he can come back, if he comes, let him come here with me.”

    On the El Clasico against Real Madrid on Sunday night, Alves also said: “Now we can beat anyone, but knowing that we have to put all these things together and not lose our style, which is what makes us all different.”

  • Kylian Mbappe needs to join Liverpool – Mane

    Kylian Mbappe needs to join Liverpool – Mane

    Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has charged Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe to join him at Anfield.

    Off contract in June, Mbappe is expected to join Real Madrid this summer. However, he has also been linked with Liverpool, where manager Jurgen Klopp has a good relationship with Mbappe’s father Wilfred.

    Mane told France Football: “I would like to play with him, of course.

    “It would be an exceptional attack, but now he is the one who has to come to Liverpool. I am sure he would like it.”

    He also revealed: “My new dream is to win the World Cup with Senegal. But first we will have to qualify, but I want to believe in some crazy projects and what consists of winning the World Cup with Senegal is one of them.

    “If we succeed, of course, I will approach all the players who fight for the Ballon d’Or every year. If I win the World Cup, I think I will become a candidate.”

  • Ligue 1: Messi, Neymar booed by PSG fans

    Ligue 1: Messi, Neymar booed by PSG fans

    Lionel and Neymar were booed by Paris Saint-Germain fans on Sunday in their first game since their dramatic Champions League loss to Real Madrid on Wednesday.

    The Ligue 1 leaders took on Bordeaux and both players were roundly booed by the home supporters and their every touch jeered.

    However, there was no such treatment for Kylian Mbappe, who is likely to move to Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer.

    At one point during the first half, the fans booed as Messi and Neymar stood over a free-kick and then sarcastically cheered when Neymar hit his effort over the bar.

    PSG eventually won 3-0, with Mbappe, Neymar and Paredes scoring the goals.

    The victory moves them 15 points clear at the top and continues their march toward the title

  • Messi seeking escape from PSG – Bent

    Messi seeking escape from PSG – Bent

    Former Tottenham Hotspur player, Darren Bent has said former Barcelona star, Lionel Messi does not fit at his current club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Bent made this known while speaking to talkSPORT, and stressed that what may be in Messi’s mind at the moment is how to escape from the French side.

    “One or two nice touches, but I was expecting so much more from [Messi]. What I will say about Messi is that he looks like Marcus Rashford at Man United.

    “Rashford looks miserable at United and Messi just looks like ‘I don’t want to be here’. Maybe the smile on his face would come back [if he returned to Barcelona].
    “I don’t think we’ll see the Messi we saw that was head and shoulders above everybody. But he just doesn’t look like he fits in at PSG. I bet he’s probably thinking, ‘I wish I was back at Barca’. He didn’t want to leave in the first place,” Bent said.

    TNG reports Messi left Barcelona on 10 August 2021 for PSG on a two-year deal until June 2023 with an option for an extra year.

    On 1 July 2021, Messi became a free agent after his contract expired with negotiations on a new deal complicated due to financial issues at Barcelona.

    On 5 August, Barcelona announced that Messi would not be staying at the club, even though both parties reached an agreement and were due to sign a contract that day.

    Barcelona cited financial and structural obstacles posed by La Liga regulations as a reason for Messi’s departure.