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'The disrespect': Fans shocked over 'savage' Lionel Messi moment

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
·3-min read
Lionel Messi (pictured) speaking to the referee from behind the wall in the Champions League match.
Fans couldn't believe Lionel Messi (pictured) was the man lying down behind the wall for PSG in their Champions League match against Manchester City. (Getty Images)

Lionel Messi may be considered by many as the greatest player of all-time, but it didn't stop his teammates relegating him to an unwanted role during the Champions League match.

Messi opened his account for PSG with the best performance of the season since his summer move from Barcelona as his new club defeated Manchester City 2-0.

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While the world reacted to Messi's remarkable goal against City, and his continued affiliation with scoring against English teams, others were also in shock over a bizarre moment during the match.

As Manchester City lined-up for a free-kick outside the box, PSG players set up the wall.

However, in a sight that had football fans in disbelief, Messi positioned himself on the ground behind the wall.

This is a tactic used to stop free-kick takers shooting underneath a leaping wall.

While the tactic is common place in the modern game, it is not common to see arguably the greatest player of all time getting his jersey dirty.

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand couldn't believe his eyes and tweeted: "The disrespect," accompanied with a laughing emoji.

"If I was in that team, I'd say, 'no, no, no, I'll lay down for you,'" Ferdinand said during BT Sport commentary.

Others joked there was nothing Messi wouldn't do to help his team, which just further cemented his spot as the greatest.

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Having under-performed since his move to the French capital, Messi saved his opening goal for when it mattered most.

Messi's 121st Champions League goal came after a trademark driving run forward from inside his own-half, followed by a one-two with Kylian Mbappe.

The Argentine slotted the ball from the top of the box to cement PSG's win against the champions of England.

Lionel Messi (pictured) runs to the corner and celebrates his goal against Manchester City.
Lionel Messi (pictured) celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City. (Photo by John Berry/Getty Images) (John Berry via Getty Images)

PSG had taken the lead through a less-expected source, Idrissa Gana Gueye scoring with a powerful finish after eight minutes.

With Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva both hitting the bar within the space of a few seconds midway through the first half, and Gianluigo Donnarumma in fine form, City were unable to reply.

with AAP

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