Finally, PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino breaks silence on Messi’s substitution drama

Lionel Messi made his third appearance for Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday against Olympique Lyonnais in the French Ligue 1.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner was substituted in the 75th with the score at 1-1.

Pochettino and PSG have gone ahead to eventually score their second goal to win the match 2-1 with a stoppage-time effort by Mauro Icardi to help them maintain their perfect record with 18 points while sitting on top of the log.

Meanwhile, Messi was left looking puzzled when he was replaced with full-back Achraf Hakimi and exchanged words with Pochettino as he walked off the pitch. The pair didn’t shake hands.

Sequel to the mild drama, PSG boss, Pochettino has finally explained his decision to substitute the 34-year-old former Barcelona captain when he maintained that his compatriot was okay with being taken off.

Messi, who had hit the woodwork earlier in the encounter had failed to score on his Parc des Princes debut and was substituted in the 75th minute with a draw score line.

“I think we all know we have great players in this 35-man squad. Only 11 can play, we can’t play more. The decisions in the game are made for the good of the team and each player,” Pochettino told reporters.

“Every coach thinks about that. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes players like it and sometimes they don’t. At the end of the day, that’s why we’re here.

“These are decisions that have to be made by the coach. As for his reaction, I asked him how he was, he said he was okay. That was it. That was our exchange.”