The arrival of Lionel Messi at Paris Saint Germain was greeted with sighs and relieves of a man who for once was going to take them for their first Champions League glory.
It was one of the insane transfer windows in history, as Lionel Messi former Barcelona forward was going to play for another club that is not Barcelona this time linking up with rival former Real Madrid defender who had joined PSG Sergio Ramos.
Now its former foes turned friends both play for the Paris club and are yet to register a goal for Ligue 1.
Lionel Messi has only scored in the Champions League competition now with three goals so far.
So what might be the cause of Messi struggles in Paris?
1. Vigilant opponents
The Ligue 1 opponents’ main task has been to hold the Argentine from seeing the net at all cost despite the similar situations in La Liga the french league is somewhat challenging.
Lionel Messi still adapting to the Ligue 1; Photo Credit – France 24
With the quality stars in the Squad, PSG has only managed to win two of four matches in the league a disappointing feat. Teams are wary of the threat PSG and Messi poses and hence go all out in marking and pressing the Argentine legend. However, a lack of cohesion is working against the club and Messi.
2. Taking time to find synergy with new teammates
No matter how good the players are individual, getting them to combine is a different aspect altogether.
While PSG has assembled a star-studded squad, there is a lack of cohesion among the big-name players of world football. A front three of Neymar-Mbappe-Messi looks terrifying on paper but the trio has yet to flourish in domestic competitions.
It has been hard for Messi to find chemistry with his new teammates. It is natural for any player to take time in understanding the psyche of new teammates.
Up until now, Lionel Messi was playing with footballers who learned football and evolved with the same philosophy as his. It is a matter of when, and not if, Messi develops a connection with his new teammates.
3. Away from his comfort zone
The raging debate between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi continues even today. The two legends of the game often are compared to each other and the argument against Messi was that he always played in his comfort zone.
Messi had been a one-club player until now while Ronaldo had excelled with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, winning the respective leagues with all three clubs.
Lionel Messi has scored three goals in UCL; Photo Credit – Sky Sports
A change in team, league, teammates, and overall atmosphere has certainly caused Messi to rethink and rediscover himself. Adapting to the new tactics, change in philosophy, and a new league is resulting in Messi taking time to find the back of the net.
4. A brand new tactical setup
Lionel Messi learned all the tricks of the trade from the famous La Masia academy of FC Barcelona.
Stars like Andres Iniesta, Xavi, and more were produced there, players who symbolize the ‘tiki-taka’ football; something the Blaugrana are famous for. Messi played all of his careers under that brand of football and earned countless plaudits because of it. He enjoyed positional freedom at FC Barcelona which he is not experiencing at PSG.
The attacking set up at his new club is different under Mauricio Pochettino. Messi had predominantly started on the right-wing of a front three and on rare occasions shifted in behind the striker. PSG overall is struggling to find rhythm in the final third, as their recent goalless draw with Marseille suggests.
in addition, Adjusting to a new country and an unfamiliar league system would take time for any player. This is especially true for Lionel Messi, who has left Spain for the first time after joining FC Barcelona as a youngster. He spent 21 years at the club, becoming a Barcelona legend.
Messi does not enjoy similar time and space on the ball and the football is more pragmatic than the free-flowing nature of the league in Spain.
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