It\u2019s clearly been a rough week for PSG star and former legendary Barcelona icon, Lionel Messi, to say the least. Suffice it to say that the 34-year-old has been on the receiving end of truly unmerited harsh and unfair criticism in the wake of the first-leg 1-0 match victory against Real Madrid.<\/p>\n
The Argentine unfortunately fluffed the penalty kick that could potentially have been the game\u2019s first goal.\u00a0 However, Thibaut Courtois correctly surmised the direction the ball would go and he instinctively dove left and pulled the plug on Messi, in a manner of speaking. The capital club was finally able to come away with the win after Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 scored a stunner late in the second half for the 1-0 win, garnering him the laurels for the night.<\/p>\n
Manager Mauricio Pochettino has come forward in Messi\u2019s defence and spoke to the media in no undertain terms defending the integrity and solidness of his player\u2019s all-round performance, even if it came a bit short of being stellar by his own other-worldly standards. The Argentine head coach insisted that Messi had a good game despite the penalty kick that strayed.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, he\u2019s the best player in the world. Messi is football. If you want to explain football to anyone, it\u2019s Leo Messi. I don\u2019t think a missed penalty affects his confidence,\u201d Pochettino said during his press conference.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf someone says that, he doesn\u2019t know this sport. The team played well, and it was thanks to the way he interpreted the game. He had a very good game. He allowed the team to play together.\u201d<\/p>\n
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