PSG’s Lionel Messi looks at PSG’s head coach Mauricio Pochettino after he was substituted during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon
Lionel Messi has been ruled out of Paris Saint-Germain’s Ligue 1 clash with Metz on Wednesday due to the knee injury which saw him replaced on the weekend.
PSG announced in a statement that the Argentine would miss the game due to a bone contusion after scans confirmed the issue.
“Lionel Messi, following a blow received to his left knee, had an MRI this morning which confirms the signs of bone contusion,” the PSG statement said.
Messi will undergo further tests this week too, meaning he is in doubt for next week’s glamour UEFA Champions League clash with Manchester City.
The 34-year-old had been replaced in the 76th minute in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Olympique Lyon, with Messi ignoring the hand of PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino as he walked off.
“We saw he was checking his knee on the sidelines with gestures and you could also notice he had an issue when he took a shot,” Pochettino said about the substitution which occurred when the game was still 1-1 before Mauro Icardi’s late winner.
“He’d had a good first half and we were happy with his performance, but we decided to take him off based on the information we have.
“I understand the media reaction, but our priority is always to look out for the player.
“The best players always want to be on the pitch, so I’m not surprised Messi wanted to continue.”
PSG are also due to play Montpellier on the weekend, before meeting City in Paris in midweek.
