Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed that Lionel Messi is out for Saturday’s Ligue 1 clash with Montpellier HSC at Parc des Princes with the same knee problem which kept him out of the 2-1 win away at FC Metz in midweek.
The French giants’ medical update detailed that the 34-year-old Argentina international is now back running but that the next update on his condition will come on Sunday with head coach Mauricio Pochettino hopeful that he will be fit to face Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League next week.
“Leo is running again,” said the PSG boss at Friday’s pre-match press conference. “We hope that his issue will evolve positively. We will have a new update on Sunday. We hope he can face City. We need to be careful. We will see how he is over the coming days.”
Footage has emerged in the aftermath of Messi’s substitution during the 2-1 home win over Olympique Lyonnais last Sunday which showed a clash between the South American and old foe Jerome Boateng which had Messi limping.
Meanwhile, Pochettino was quizzed on PSG’s struggles despite a 100%-win record in Ligue 1 so far with late goals required against both Lyon and Metz with Mauro Icardi and Achraf Hakimi the respective heroes for Les Parisiens.
“There are different interpretations,” said Pochettino. “Scoring late on means that the team is fighting until the end to win. As coach, we want to make the difference before. We start games well but lack determination to score second and third goals. I do not think that it is physical. It is more about our consistency over 90 minutes.”
Pochettino also played down Metz boss Frederic Antonetti’s claims that Kylian Mbappe has developed egotistical behavior and suggested that his opposite number was sore at a late conceded winner and his own red card.
“I can understand what Antonetti is saying,” he said. “However, you must take it into context. They lost in the last, last minutes. I can understand his frustration. Kylian is a wonderful guy, a great competitor and he always wants to win. Any issues must be put into context. Kylian is extraordinary and humble.”
PSG welcome Montpellier to the French capital this weekend in Ligue 1 before next Tuesday’s Champions League Group A clash with City which you can watch live on Paramount+.