Lionel Messi was substituted at half-time with PSG losing 1-0 to Lille, know the reason behind the 34-year old getting replaced and his injury update, news and return date
Lionel Messi was substituted at half-time by manager Mauricio Pochettino at the Parc Des Princes in their Ligue 1 fixture against Lille OSC. It was 21-year old Canadian forward Jonathan David who gave Lille the lead in the first half of the game. The home fans were disappointed to see PSG losing to Lille by the time the half-time whistle blew and even more upset to see their best player be replaced.
Lionel Messi Substituted During Lille vs PSG
It was Mauricio Icardi who came in as a replacement for Messi after half-time. PSG started their match against Lille with Messi, Neymar and Di Maria as the main attacking three. Paris missed the presence of their young star striker Kylian Mbappe, who is currently suffering from an infection.
So what? No Mbappe? No problem. Angel Di Maria was there to save the day for PSG as he set up the home side’s first goal with an assist to captain Marquinhos who levelled the score. And in the 88th-minute, Di Maria sent PSG fans in a frenzy with a late winning goal which was set up by none other than the most expensive player in the world, Neymar Jr.
Why was Lionel Messi substituted at half-time: Injury News, Update And Return Date
Pochettino revealed the reason for Messi’s substitution- “It was a precaution, and we hope we will be available for the game against Leipzig.” Pochettino was referring to PSG’s Champions League clash against Leipzig here.
The problem is Messi’s muscle again, which even made him skip training with the squad on Thursday. Messi is still waiting to find the back of the net in Ligue 1 as he has not scored a goal yet in his last 5 appearances for PSG.
Messi Return Date And Injury History
Upon being asked about Messi’s injury update, Pochettino said, “We have to wait. We spoke with the doctor. He couldn’t go on but it’s not a big issue. He will be available for the next game.”
| Season | Injury | from | until | Days | Games missed |
| 21/22 | Bone Bruise | Sep 20, 2021 | Sep 27, 2021 | 7 days | 2 |
| 21/22 | Fitness | Aug 1, 2021 | Aug 26, 2021 | 25 days | 4 |
| 20/21 | Hamstring Injury | Jan 12, 2021 | Jan 15, 2021 | 3 days | 1 |
| 20/21 | Ankle Injury | Dec 23, 2020 | Jan 1, 2021 | 9 days | 1 |
| 19/20 | Adductor problems | Sep 25, 2019 | Oct 1, 2019 | 6 days | 1 |
| 19/20 | Foot Injury | Aug 5, 2019 | Sep 16, 2019 | 42 days | 4 |
| 18/19 | Pubitis | Mar 23, 2019 | Mar 29, 2019 | 6 days | – |
| 18/19 | Forearm Fracture | Oct 21, 2018 | Nov 9, 2018 | 19 days | 5 |
| 18/19 | Forearm Fracture | Oct 21, 2018 | Nov 9, 2018 | 19 days | 5 |
| 17/18 | Adductor problems | Mar 22, 2018 | Mar 30, 2018 | 8 days | – |
| 16/17 | Influenza | Nov 17, 2016 | Nov 21, 2016 | 4 days | 1 |
| 16/17 | Torn muscle bundle | Sep 22, 2016 | Oct 15, 2016 | 23 days | 4 |
| 16/17 | Adductor problems | Sep 5, 2016 | Sep 8, 2016 | 3 days | – |
| 15/16 | Back bruise | May 28, 2016 | Jun 10, 2016 | 13 days | – |
| 15/16 | Kidney stone surgery | Feb 9, 2016 | Feb 14, 2016 | 5 days | 2 |