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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ian Mitchelmore

Joe Rodon shows Tottenham what they are missing by 'pocketing Messi and Neymar' as he steals front page

Joe Rodon grabbed the headlines as Stade Rennais secured a shock 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain.

The defender was handed his first start since playing for Wales against England at the World Cup in Qatar in November and more than played his part in shutting out the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

Hamari Traore struck the only goal of the contest in the 65th minute while Rodon himself ended the game having blocked two shots. He also made five clearances as well as making an interception.

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The former Swansea City man - who is on loan in France from Tottenham Hotspur - featured on the front cover of Monday's edition of L'Equipe in a photo which featured Messi and Neymar looking downbeat following their surprise loss.

His fine display at Roazhon Park coincidentally came on the same day that parent club Tottenham were comfortably beaten 2-0 by north London rivals Arsenal.

Spurs were exposed again at the back, with centre-backs Eric Dier and Christian Romero enduring the wrath of supporters following disappointing displays against the Gunners. Some fans questioned on social media why Rodon was still on loan after keeping PSG at bay while their own team are struggling.

One wrote: "Not Joe Rodon managing to keep out Messi & Neymar while we’re in North London getting slapped about," while another added: "Meanwhile Joe Rodon bossing PSG! Surely better option than Dier , Sanchez and Lenglet?" A third said: "While we play Dier in the middle Joe Rodon has just pocketed Neymar and Messi."

It comes just weeks after reports in France suggested Rodon's time with Stade Rennais would be cut short as a result of his lack of regular game-time of late.

Rodon is set to link-up with his international team-mates once again in March as Rob Page's side begin their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with matches against Croatia and Latvia.

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