Lionel Messi has distanced himself from reports that he and his entourage have doubts over Mauricio Pochettino’s tactical ability, describing it as ‘fake news.
Paris St Germain are 11 points clear of nearest rivals Rennes in the French League. Moreover, they have qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League. However, Pochettino has still faced criticism over the fluidity of PSG’s play and how he has yet to bring the best out of Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar who is currently injured.
A point earned at fifth-placed Lens on Sunday, salvaged by Georginio Wijnaldum’s 92nd-minute equalizer, did little to alleviate the flak. As a result, French press reports targeted Pochettino’s tactics as being ‘too restrictive and frustrating’ for Ballon D’or winner Messi.
However, sources close to the 34-year-old Argentine have underlined that the relationship between Pochettino and Messi is ‘good’ and that the former Tottenham coach’s presence at PSG was an important factor in the forward’s decision to move to Paris from Barcelona last summer.
Messi’s entourage say they have no problem at all with Pochettino and that the claims are ‘totally false’ as the bond between coach and player ‘remains good’ and they continue to work closely together.
Indeed, Messi’s teammate Mbappe, when asked about their form admitted, ‘We’re aware that we need to do more. When you have three players of that level, you can’t hide from it.’
Talking to Amazon Prime, he added: ‘We need to do the things that keep us together as a collective. We each have to do our bit.’