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'Messi disappears when it matters!'

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Lionel Messi has been accused of disappearing when it matters most for PSG.
Lionel Messi has been accused of disappearing when it matters most for PSG.

Lionel Messi has now been accused of disappearing when it matters most for Paris Saint-Germain following the club's defeat to Bayern Munich earlier this week. 

After PSG's 2-0 loss on Wednesday, the Argentine has now exited the UEFA Champions League at the round of 16 stage for the third successive season, twice with the French giants, and in his final campaign with FC arcelona.

Read: WATCH: What happened to Messi after PSG's UCL exit

Messi played the full 90 minutes against the Bavarians but was unable to help his team get on the scoresheet, something that perhaps surprised some as he has accumulated 34 goal contributions in 30 matches this season as things stand.

Former PSG star Jerome Rothen was not impressed at all, however, and has since lambasted the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner for seemingly only performing against weaker teams for the Ligue 1 club. 

"Messi, we don't want it. He doesn't want to get involved in this club," he told French radio station RMC Sport.

"He says he's 'acclimatised' now, but what are you acclimatised to?

"You scored 18 goals or 16 assists this year against Angers and Clermont? But in the matches that matter, you disappear.

"The joke is that we saw his matches at the World Cup, I saw his movements, how he invested himself. I don't mind it, considering it's the national team jersey, a separate thing, but hey, respect the club in the capital a little, which allows you to maintain a status and salary.

"Only PSG could give him that and, obviously, PSG fell at his feet because they thought Messi was going to make us win (the Champions League). But he doesn't win us anything."

Rothen has also given his verdict on whether or not the player should renew his contract at PSG or leave at the end of the season.

"In terms of image and what it reflects, I can't understand why Messi wants to extend the adventure here," the former Les Parisiens star said, per The Guardian.

"He makes no effort to put the club ahead of him.

"He never thanks the fans, he lowers his head and goes to the dressing room.

Read: 'Messi would've won more if he was more like Ronaldo'

"Even when he celebrates goals and his name is chanted, he never has a gesture for the fans to thank them for their support.

"He doesn't want to invest in the project.

"Because of that, I don't think it's a good idea for it to continue."

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