‘He’s a Walker’ – L’Equipe Journalist Doesn’t Hold Back Criticism of Lionel Messi

Most of the French media has made it clear that Paris Saint-Germain should move on from Lionel Messi, but of all the pundits who’ve spoken, L’Equipe journalist Dominique Grimault might have the harshest criticism.

Grimault spoke on L’Equipe’s channel, where he admitted that the 35-year-old still has moments of genius, but his game isn’t worth keeping around. 

“He walks; he’s a walker,” Grimault said (h/t AlAin Français). “He has traits of genius, we saw him on this free kick against Lille, but I think the situation will improve. decant after the game against Bayern Munich.” 

Additionally, Grimault noted that seeing other players in their mid-to-late 30s, such as Karim Benzema and Luka Modric, perform at a high level should bring shame to Messi for not investing in his game to maintain his past form. 

“If there is an elimination [against Bayern Munich], PSG will retain neither Neymar nor Messi,” Grimault continued. “I also think [PSG] must put Mbappé at the heart of the Parisian project. Lionel Messi is 30 percent of what he was there a few years with FC Barcelona.

“When you see a 35-year-old Benzema and 37-year-old Modric who invest so much in a game and you see Lionel Messi who is 30 percent of what he was at Barça a few years ago. He walks; he’s a walker.”

Messi’s future will reportedly be determined by what happens after the second-leg contest with Bayern Munich on March 8 at the Allianz Arena. If the Argentine performs at a high level and PSG advance to the quarterfinals, it might convince the capital club of an extension.

However, if PSG crashes out and Messi doesn’t look like he can play at a high level, then it might be the end of the veteran in the French capital.