Lionel Messi has proven that even at the age of 38, he is still a force to be reckoned with in the world of football. However, he also revealed that he was unhappy with some decisions and situations that were not to his liking.
During his time at Paris Saint-Germain, then-manager Mauricio Pochettino decided to take him off the field in Ligue 1 matches, but Messi’s reaction still surprised the manager.
Messi asked Pochettino a question
The Argentine coach, who is currently on the bench of the United States national team, coached PSG’s Messi, Neymar Junior and Kylian Mbapp from January 2021 to July 2022.
Managing one of the most powerful attacking trios in football was not difficult for Mauricio. In fact, he said his challenge was to create “an atmosphere of normalcy even under exceptional circumstances.” However, he had to make decisions that could affect “MNM” and “millions of people” because of the influence each had. And four years later, he still remembers that one in particular.
In the Ligue 1 game against Lille, manager Pochettino decided that Lionel should be removed from the field in the 75th minute with the score tied at 1-1. This not only attracted the attention of PSG and football fans in general, but Messi himself also opposed this and did not keep it a secret.
After teammate Achraf Hakimi entered the field in his place, Leo approached the coach and revealed what the coach had said to him. In an interview with High Performance magazine, Pochettino revealed that the Argentina star was “disappointed” and hit back:
“He told me, ‘Listen,’ but I had to prioritize the health of his knee,” he explained. “After that game, he came back and scored against Manchester City and just hugged me in the dressing room,” Pochettino revealed.
However, although the interaction with Lionel had a happy ending, the coach insisted there was “no problem with discipline or respect” and that they were “professional” at all times.
Pochettino managed 84 games (56 wins, 13 draws, 15 losses) and won Ligue 1, the French Cup and the French Super Cup, but his career at the club ended when he lost to Real Madrid in the round of 16 of the 21/22 Champions League.
Meanwhile, Lionel ended his contract with the French club on June 30, 2023, after two seasons in Paris. He then decided to embark on a new adventure and signed with David Beckham’s Inter Miami. He was presented by the club in July 2023, where he won the 2023 Leagues Cup, 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield, and this year won the MLS Cup Eastern Conference title and the MLS Cup.
He is now preparing to defend his title and start the new MLS season on February 21st against Los Angeles FC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
