"PSG is not a team" - Bayern Munich legend Philipp Lahm criticizes Ligue 1 club, makes interesting Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe claim
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have been strongly criticized by Bayern Munich icon Philipp Lahm, who believes that Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Co. do not play like a team.
The Parisians were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Bayern in the last 16. They were beaten 3-0 on aggregate, with Messi and Mbappe failing to impress.
PSG have not won Europe's elite club competition, despite Qatar Sports Investments' takeover in June 2011. It is the club's main target, but they have disappointed.
Lahm recently reacted to Christophe Galtier's side's latest woes against his former outfit. He touched on Mbappe's talent and how it doesn't necessarily result in a winning team, telling L'Equipe:
"PSG is not a team. The case of Kylian Mbappe is a story in itself. He undoubtedly has the qualities of a world-class player and dominates the National Championship. But his talent is not integrated with the rest team."
Lahm then reflected upon Mbappe's performance at the Allianz Arena. The Frenchman's threat was nullified by Bayern's defence, as he managed just one shot on target and lost possession 12 times:
"In Munich, he just waited for the ball to get to his feet. I can't imagine how Mbappe's career can take on another dimension in Paris."
The ex-Germany international seems to be hinting that he reckons Mbappe will be better off leaving PSG. The prolific striker has bagged 31 goals in 33 games across competitions this season. Lahm continued:
"PSG have the two players who rocked the planet in the World Cup final three months ago. Messi and Mbappe, plus Neymar, the best Brazilian of the last decade. Plus also Ramos, the former captain of Real Madrid and four-time winner of the Champions League, to which we must add two reigning European champions (Donnarumma and Verratti), but in the two duels against Bayern, nothing extraordinary happened."
Galtier's only hopes of silverware this season now rests on the Ligue 1. The Parisians are currently atop the league, holding a seven-point lead over second-placed Marseille. However, PSG suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at home to Rennes on Sunday (March 19).
Jamie Carragher thinks PSG's Lionel Messi might have played his last Champions League game
Lionel Messi's future is subject to intense speculation, with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner has been in talks with PSG over a renewal. However, those talks have not reached a conclusion, and uncertainty has grown about whether he will remain at the Parc des Princes beyond the summer.
Messi was disappointing during both legs in the defeat to Bayern, unable to weave his usual magic against the Bundesliga side. Liverpool legend Carragher watched Messi and Co crash out of the Champions League.
He suggested on BT Sport that it may have been the Argentine's last European night:
"It could be the last time we see Lionel Messi in the Champions League."
The closest the Parisians have come to winning the Champions League was in the 2019-20 campaign. They made the final but were beaten 1-0 by Bayern. Since Messi's arrival in Paris, they have failed to make it past the last 16 on two occasions.