The Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain appears to be adapting to the role of facilitator. The 34-year-old is tied with Kylian Mbappé for the Ligue 1 lead in assists with ten. Messi provided two helpers to the France international last weekend to score a brace.
Seeing the Argentine turn into a playmaker rather than a scorer is something that people will need to get used to, says French football pundit Habib Beye during a segment on Canal+ (via Foot01).
“We have to stop expecting from Messi what we saw in Barcelona. It will be different here at Paris Saint-Germain. What I like with Leo Messi at the moment is the frequency of support. We see it different,” Beye said.
“At times, it was a little monorhythmic, but here I find that he can change the rhythm. We had seen it against Real Madrid. The penalty debate had led people to think he had performed poorly, but I thought he was good.”
Messi and Mbappé have budding chemistry growing and the 3-1 win over AS Saint-Étienne. Beye noted that type of performance is something that many should expect from the former FC Barcelona player with the capital club.
“I found him very good against Saint-Etienne in what he brings to PSG and in his frequency of support. He has this ability to change pace. In number 10, when he picks up, he is able to play the PSG game. It is very encouraging for the future,” Beye added.
“He raises his level of play and takes more and more place in the construction of the PSG game. Very happy to see Lionel Messi at a high level and who now hopes that it will last for Paris SG, especially in the Champions League.”
If Messi is more of a creator and can help feed passes to the 23-year-old, then it’s the best way for him to stay at a high level and accept that he might not be the goal scorer that he was at Barcelona.
