Lionel Messi makes feelings clear to Mauricio Pochettino after surprise PSG substitution

Lionel Messi made it clear he was not best pleased with Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to substitute him off against Lyon with just 15 minutes to play. The Argentine had put on a real show of quality in the first half, linking up brilliantly with the likes of Neymar and Angel Di Maria but the French giants struggled to turn the screw against Lyon on a frustrating night at the Parc des Princes.

It was the visitors who took the lead when Brazilian Lucas Paqueta fired home with a low drive to stun the home crowd.

PSG were ruthlessly punished for their failure to open the scoring after squandering several big chances in the first half.

Messi came closest when his free-kick bounced off the woodwork but still, his first PSG goal eludes him.

Neymar then levelled things up from the penalty spot after he won a controversial spot-kick.

JUST IN: Roy Keane and Micah Richards clash over Tottenham striker Harry Kane ‘playing for Chelsea’

The fact Messi was not on penalty duty perhaps highlights that he is not yet top dog in Paris, where he is yet to find his feet.

Pochettino then controversially subbed Messi with 15 minutes to play, much to the confusion of the home crowd as Archaf Hakimi replaced him.

The decision was not received well by the former Barcelona man, who said something and shook his head briefly when shaking Pochettino’s hand.

Mauro Icardi, another substitute struck a dramatic winner at the death to ensure PSG made it six wins from six, sparing the blushes of Pochettino.

Things are yet to go swimmingly for Messi since he completed his free transfer to France following his heartfelt decision to leave Barca.

Messi and co were held to a bitterly frustrating draw in the Champions League in midweek against Club Brugge.

Pochettino was quick to defend his star-studded attack’s underwhelming performance in Belgium, claiming he’s not expecting the poor showing to happen often.

“We lacked solidity against Club Brugge,” Pochettino said on Saturday ahead of the visit of Lyon.

“A less than ideal performance doesn’t mean that it will happen every match. It doesn’t mean it will happen again in the future.

“There is the possibility of trying different systems, but the changes depend on the form and needs of the players as well.”