Footballers Praise Messi After He Scores Maiden PSG Goal Against Man City in Champions League
12:34 GMT 29.09.2021 (Updated: 11:43 GMT 10.12.2022)
© REUTERS / BENOIT TESSIER
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Six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi finally ended his Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) goal drought as he opened his account for the French giants in their 2-0 triumph against Manchester City in a UEFA Champions League clash on Tuesday night. Before his goal against City, Messi had made three appearances for PSG without any success whatsoever.
English legend Gary Linekar, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, and ex-Newcastle stalwart Ray Hudson have all hailed Lionel Messi's performance against Pep Guardiola's Man City, which powered the Ligue 1 table toppers to an emphatic victory over the English champions at the Parc des Princes.
Linekar was effusive in his praise of the Argentine skipper as he slammed his critics for casting doubts on his ability.
According to the former Tottenham striker, Messi has always delivered against the "Big Six" of English football before telling the world that it was the 34-year-old forward's 27th goal against a Premier League club.
On the other hand, Ferdinand described Messi's goal against Guardiola's club as "disrespecting" the English team's defence. Hudson too was in awe of Messi's strike as he dubbed it "sublime".
On the other hand, Ferdinand described Messi's goal against Guardiola's club as "disrespecting" the English team's defence. Hudson too was in awe of Messi's strike as he dubbed it "sublime".
JUST LISTEN TO THE ROAR THAT COULD BE HEARD ALL OVER PARIS
— mx (@MessiMX30i) September 28, 2021
Notice how Messi instantly points to Mbappé who provided the brilliant assist 🔥 pic.twitter.com/aa5n6FAtaq
Messi’s first for PSG was his 27th goal against Premier League opposition in his 31st appearance. All in the Champions League and all against the so called big six…and some say he couldn’t do it here. 🤣🤣🤣
— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) September 28, 2021
The disrespect 😂😂😂#Messi #UCL
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) September 28, 2021
pic.twitter.com/e9BnxYs0zt
a goal so sublime you can feel your soul banging on ya ribcage screaming to be let out #Messi #PSGMANCITY
— Ray Hudson (@RayHudson) September 28, 2021
The praise for Messi from various quarters came as he produced a play of wondrous individual brilliance.
As PSG countered Guardiola's men, Messi received the ball wide-right near half-field. The diminutive Argentine broke at pace against the retreating City defence.
As he approached the 18-yard box, he cut in on his left foot and played a lovely pass to Kylian Mbappe. The young Frenchman wasted no time and played the ball right back to Messi with a backheel.
Messi struck the ball with accuracy, curve, and venom as he left City's keeper -- Ederson -- to helplessly watch the ball hit the net. The goal gave PSG a 2-0 lead and control over the hotly contested tie, which ultimately proved enough as the Parisians sealed a comfortable win at home.
Messi himself was quite happy with his display against the Citizens.
"I hadn't been able to play recently and this was only my second game in this stadium. I'm adapting to my new team," Messi told French outlet Canal+ after the match.
As PSG countered Guardiola's men, Messi received the ball wide-right near half-field. The diminutive Argentine broke at pace against the retreating City defence.
As he approached the 18-yard box, he cut in on his left foot and played a lovely pass to Kylian Mbappe. The young Frenchman wasted no time and played the ball right back to Messi with a backheel.
Messi struck the ball with accuracy, curve, and venom as he left City's keeper -- Ederson -- to helplessly watch the ball hit the net. The goal gave PSG a 2-0 lead and control over the hotly contested tie, which ultimately proved enough as the Parisians sealed a comfortable win at home.
Messi himself was quite happy with his display against the Citizens.
"I hadn't been able to play recently and this was only my second game in this stadium. I'm adapting to my new team," Messi told French outlet Canal+ after the match.
"The more we forwards play together the better our relationship will be. We all need to grow together and improve and keep giving our best," he added.
Messi also acknowledged that it was a much needed win for PSG as they could only accomplish a draw against Club Brugge in their Champions League opener earlier this month.
"They were great opponents. It was very important for us to win the match after our draw against Brugge. I'm very happy to have scored," he stated.
Messi also acknowledged that it was a much needed win for PSG as they could only accomplish a draw against Club Brugge in their Champions League opener earlier this month.
"They were great opponents. It was very important for us to win the match after our draw against Brugge. I'm very happy to have scored," he stated.
