Lionel Messi will sit out this weekend’s Ligue 1 clash for Paris Saint-Germain against Reims after being substituted off in midweek.
Messi netted a stunning goal to open the scoring for Paris Saint-Germain during their 1-1 draw against Benfica on Wednesday evening. It was a superb, curling finish from the Argentine to cap a flowing team move from Les Parisiens in a move that involved both Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
However, the Argentine superstar – who set a fresh Champions League record in the game – was unable to finish the game and appeared to request his substitution in the closing stages of the match, with Hugo Ekitike closing out the game alongside Mbappe and Neymar in attack.
PSG boss Christophe Galtier spoke ahead of the Ligue 1 match this weekend, confirming that Messi would not be involved in the clash – and although he did not specify the reason for the player’s absence, did seek to play down concerns over a long-term layoff.
Galtier explained to reporters at the pre-match press conference: "Messi will not be involved in the match, but if all goes well, he will return to training on Sunday morning."
Messi's goal was his second in the Champions League this season while he is just one goal shy of equalling his tally for the entirety of the last campaign in Ligue 1 – having found the net five times in the division this campaign. The 35-year-old has now also netted eight goals in his last six matches for club and country.
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The forward scored in PSG's Champions League victory at Maccabi Haifa before netting the only goal of the game as Christophe Galtier's team earned a slender victory at Olympique Lyonnais before the international break and then opened the scoring against Nice on Saturday with a stunning free-kick.
Messi's form in front of goal was also on show for Argentina, as he netted a brace for Lionel Scaloni's side against Honduras before bagging a double against Jamaica – both friendly matches coming in preparation ahead of this winter's World Cup finals in Qatar.
However, this week’s incident may have been a small scare for both his club and international side – with the World Cup getting underway in little over a month. There does not appear to be any longer-term worry from Messi’s absence, but there will be a mindfulness to keep the superstar in prime physical condition ahead of the tournament.
