Lionel Messi’s 50 Ligue 1 games for PSG: The numbers
The Argentinian’s output has remained fairly high in the French capital but he has not delivered the continental success that the club craves.
Lionel Messi’s 50th Ligue 1 appearance was a night to forget for the Argentinian, as both he and his side suffered very public embarrassments.
Paris Saint-Germain lost at home to mid-table Lyon in their eighth defeat of 2023. Even before the game there was unrest in the stands as the PSG faithful whistled Messi’s name when the starting XI was announced.
His 50th French league appearance was a miserable one but it does offer the opportunity to look back on Messi’s time in Paris since his shock switch in 2021.
Lionel Messi: Ligue 1 stats
Even before he had stepped foot on the Parc de Princes, Messi’s arrival was always going to be judged on the team’s success in the Champions League. In both of his seasons with the club PSG have exited the competition at the last-16 stage, but Messi boasts a more impressive record in the league.
Overall he has scored 19 times and assisted 28 goals in his 50 Ligue 1 appearances.
Since the data was first collected in 2006/07, this ranks as the third-most goal involvements in a player’s first 50 Ligue 1 games. Leading the rankings are Neymar (47 goals, 25 assists) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (43 goals, 14 assists).
Messi’s goalscoring underwhelmed during his first season in France, managing just six goals in 26 outings. However he remained a potent playmaking force with 15 assists that season.
Will Messi stay at PSG after this season?
The 35-year-old achieved his final career ambition while at PSG, but he did so wearing an Argentina shirt. For the duration of his time in the French capital there have ben suspicions that the 2022 World Cup was Messi’s real priority and he has not endeared himself to fans as many would have expected.
Given that he is now in the twilight of his career Messi may look to make one last big move this summer.
In recent days there have been renewed rumours about talks between Messi’s team and Barcelona, the club where he made his name. A switch to the MLS has been mooted as a possibility but he is unlikely to leave the top European leagues until after the Copa America in 2024.
Barcelona-based sports daily Mundo Deportivo reports that the Catalan club are now actively pursuing a deal to bring Messi back to Camp Nou.