Former France manager Raymond Domenech has made the claim that Lionel Messi, not Kylian Mbappe, is the Paris Saint-Germain star who makes the ‘difference’.
Messi has been clearly dominant in the frontline for PSG this season and certainly looks to be back to his very best, having most convincingly weighed in with a bagful of brilliant goals and assists in the manner and flair the football world had been accustomed to watching since he broke out of La Masia as a shy, gangling teen.
He’s notched nine goals in all competitions so far and has already registered an impressive 10 assists for PSG so early in the season.
The diminutive Argentine wizard continued his fine form in his side’s most recent win over Ajaccio last Friday, scoring an immaculate and sublime goal and setting up Mbappe twice. His sensational performances moved Domenech to make the claim that the seven-time Ballon d’Or is the difference-maker in PSG, not Kylian Mbappe.
The 70-year-old said via Sports Brief: “In Paris, now it’s Messi that wins the games. He makes a difference.
“Mbappe could have very good games but the one that makes the difference is always Messi.”
He added: “Messi is the most wonderful player I have ever seen. He is able to do everything that hasn’t been seen.
“There are players that do interesting things but he does things that we haven’t seen before.”
Domenech, the manager for France from 2004 to 2010, has passed over his fellow countryman, opting instead for the Argentine ace.
PSG boss Christophe Galtier, obviously sharing the same sentiments as his French compatriot, has also hailed the Argentine, calling Messi the ‘best player of all time’ in glowing praise following the win over Ajaccio.
“These are always tricky matches, Ajaccio did well to put us under pressure for 25 minutes. From the moment the pressure went down and we managed to keep possession, we created some interesting chances, like with the first goal,” he said after the final whistle. “The players put in a good performance on a technical level.
“The pace was less intense in the second half and we were in technical control. We had some key moments and didn’t score, which gave Ajaccio some hope, before our two magnificent goals, including Messi’s.
“People come to the stadium to watch Leo play – he’s the best player of all time. He likes playing with the others, he has this quality of wanting to play with others, he is very altruistic and he was amazing on the second goal.”