PSG vs Benfica: Messi ruled out of the clash
Lionel Messi has been ruled out of PSG’s UEFA Champions League match against Benfica on Tuesday.
According to Le Parisien, the 35-year-old Argentine sustained a soleus contracture in the most recent Champions League encounter and requested to be replaced.
Despite “reassuring tests” performed by the club’s medical experts, the striker spent the whole weekend in therapy, missing the goalless draw against Reims.
“Leo sensed an issue in his calf during the first game against Benfica,” PSG coach Christophe Galtier was reported as saying by The Mirror on Monday.
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“We all anticipated he’d be able to play in the second game, but he’s not quite there yet.” There are just six days between them.
“He’s a lot better now, but he still has that sensation that may be troublesome in such an important game, and he opted to sit it out.”
Messi, on the other hand, will not only miss the rematch with Benfica, but he may also miss this weekend’s Le Classique match against fierce rivals Marseille.
Paris Saint-Germain had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Benfica in the first leg, despite Lionel Messi’s well-struck strike.
