Lionel Messi’s PSG highlights vs Nantes raise questions over L’Equipe rating

Lionel Messi was in the news earlier this week after French newspaper L’Equipe awarded him a 3/10 rating for his performance during Paris Saint-Germain’s 1-0 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The Argentine was one of several players the news outlet took aim at, with their scathing report naming Messi as the worst player in the PSG line-up, while also awarding Madrid’s right wing-back Dani Carvajal a 2/10.

Yet, their controversial rankings didn’t sit well with many Twitter users, as some took to social media to argue that, while the Argentine missed a penalty, he was a constant threat to the Madrid defence and created numerous chances for the Parisians.

Even his compatriot Sergio Aguero came to defend the 34-year-old, with Aguero telling RMC Sport: “In France, magazines and newspapers killed him.

“They are a**holes. I had an interview scheduled with a French magazine, but I said: ‘No, because I support Leo Messi. Period’.

“‘So goodbye, see you soon.’ Now I’m angry.”

It was a brutal analysis of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who regularly produces world-class performances that are often hard to critique.

While many other footballers in their mid-thirties would struggle to continue to play at this level of football, the Argentine is still at the top of his game.

His list of accolades proceed themselves, with the former Barcelona star having won seven Spanish cups, four Champions League titles and ten La Liga trophies, while also winning honours for his national side, clinching the 2020/21 Copa America trophy.

And throughout his glittering career, the winger has broken countless individual records, notably becoming Barcelona’s all-time leading goal scorer netting 672 times for the La Liga