Lionel Messi subbed off at HALF-TIME by Pochettino in horror showing as PSG come back from behind without him vs Lille

LIONEL MESSI was hauled off at half-time after a horror 45 minutes against defending French champions Lille. The Argentine started up front for Paris Saint-Germain in Kylian Mbappe’s absence for Friday night’s showdown. But he failed to make an impact as he strolled around the pitch at the Parc des Princes. And, with the Parisian […]

LIONEL MESSI was hauled off at half-time after a horror 45 minutes against defending French champions Lille.

The Argentine started up front for Paris Saint-Germain in Kylian Mbappe’s absence for Friday night’s showdown.

AFP

Messi failed to make an impact in the first half against Lille[/caption]

But he failed to make an impact as he strolled around the pitch at the Parc des Princes.

And, with the Parisian giants trailing 1-0 at the break, boss Mauricio Pochettino decided enough was enough and hooked the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Messi, 34, had been struggling with a muscle injury earlier in the week but had been declared fit enough to play.

And there had been no indication that he was struggling physically during the opening 45 minutes.

Asked after the match, Pochettino insisted Messi had been withdrawn as a “precaution”, adding that medical staff expected him to be available for the midweek Champions League clash with RB Leipzig.

Messi was replaced by Mauro Icardi, featuring for the first time since his own off-the-field issues with wife and agent Wanda Nara.

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

Messi has NO goals or assists in his five Ligue1 appearances so far.

And PSG improved in his absense, coming from behind to win 2-1 and move 10 points clear of Lens at the top of the table.

Lille took the lead just after the half hour mark with Canadian Jonathan David steering home at the near post.

It came after some brilliant build-up play started by Renato Sanches.

The ball was worked wonderfully across PSG’s penalty area and into David, who applied the finishing touch.

PSG captain Marquinhos dragged the home side level with 15 minutes to play as he fired home at the far post.

And with a couple of minutes to go it was Angel di Maria who got the all important goal.

The Argentine played a one-two with Neymar before firing low into the bottom right corner.

Champions Lille are languishing in mid-table and are 16 points off leaders PSG.

Read our Football news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals