"Politics, not football", "Galtier doesn't have the balls" - Twitter fans lambast PSG manager for substituting Lionel Messi ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar against Benfica
Lionel Messi scored the opening goal for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in their Champions League clash against Benfica, but failed to take home all three points. While the visitors were chasing the winning goal in the closing minutes, manager Christophe Galtier substituted Messi, drawing the ire of angry fans on Twitter.
Many of the 35-year-old's supporters strongly believed that the Argentine playmaker should have played the full 90 minutes. They did not mince their words as they took to Twitter to slam Galtier's decision to take Messi off the pitch instead of Kylian Mbappe or Neymar.
Here is a selection of tweets from angry Lionel Messi fans:
You substitute Messi and leave mbappe on the pitch?? I don't understand why Galtier subs him off honestly🤷🏿♂️🤷🏿♂️
Why this useless coach dey like sub messi
That Messi sub was weird, what’s wrong with this coach? are we watching the same game? The guy was the only one making real effort to score a second goal 🤦🏽♂️
Messi is sub off and i wanna switch off my Tv.
No way they sub off Messi when they need a goal. Come home Messi we actually need you
1-1 and you sub off messi, psg are not a serious club twitter.com/PSG_English/st…
Which part of this coach’s brain does he use to sub of Messi when they need an important goal?
Low block Benfica so Galtier subs off Messi. Make it make sense 🤣
Galtier has subbed off Messi who's been the best player on the pitch! https://t.co/5hiXu47gG3
Galtier did a big mistake taking out Messi. Mbappe should have been subbed off
I'm a bit confused 🤔
Why does Christophe Galtier keep subbing off Lionel Messi even when he is the one having most impact like in this #BENPSG game. I swear we don't deserve Messi😢
Politics not football at Paris Saint Germain 😠
#UCL https://t.co/QlgkW6eYgn
Lionel Messi was arguably the best player on the pitch for the Parisians, actively working from deep to create attacks.
Benfica 1-1 PSG: Lionel Messi wondergoal is cancelled out by Danilo own-goal
Both sides are unbeaten in this season's edition of the Champions League and strongly deserve to make it to the knockout stages. The entertaining draw between Benfica and PSG was held to just two goals after impressive performances from both the goalkeepers.
The opening goal of the game was vintage Messi, whose curler put the ball past Odysseas Vlachodimos and into the top-left corner. The forward combined brilliantly with Neymar and Mbappe, passing the ball to the Frenchman, who laid it out for the Brazilian before it got back to Messi. Benfica became a record-extending 40th team that Messi has scored against in the Champions League.
The visitors' lead did not last for long, as the Portuguese giants retaliated just minutes before half-time. A pinpoint cross from Enzo Fernandez into the far post led to a Danilo Pereira own goal.
The second half saw PSG work ruthlessly to score another goal, however, the Benfica goalkeeper was impressive on the night. Both teams ended up settling for a point each, but will play again at the Parc des Princes next week.