Lionel Messi looked ‘disinterested’ in Barcelona’s 4-1 mauling by PSG, says Joe Cole

Lionel Messi‘s angle has been closely questioned by Joe Cole following Barcelona‘s humiliating 4-1 dwelling defeat in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

Barcelona, who’ve been considerably in a disaster in current instances each on and off the pitch, endured one other low on Tuesday after they have been all-but knocked out of the Champions League on the last-16 stage.

Messi had put Barca, at present in a state of monetary turmoil, forward from the penalty spot within the twenty seventh minute however issues turned ugly moments later as Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick whereas Moise Kean additionally netted for the French giants.

Lionel Messi endured an evening to overlook as Barcelona have been crushed 4-1 by Paris Saint-Germain

Messi was outshone by Kylian Mbappe on Tuesday after the Frenchman scored a hat-trick

The resounding defeat got here as one other sucker-punch to Messi, who nearly sensationally departed the Nou Camp final summer time after changing into disillusioned with life at Barcelona. 

And following the ultimate whistle, BT Sport pundit Cole slammed Messi for wanting ‘disinterested’ all through earlier than claiming that Manchester Metropolis would not go wherever close to him on this proof. 

Whereas dissecting Barcelona’s lacklustre efficiency, Cole instructed BT Sport: ‘Disinterested is the phrase. They’d no energy, no togetherness. There was no connection between the again 4 and the entrance three and in between it regarded bitty.

Joe Cole closely criticised Messi’s lack of need following the ultimate whistle on Tuesday

‘Messi regarded disinterested. It is actually laborious for any ex-player to criticise him as a result of he is a genius and the best participant I’ve seen play soccer however tonight he did not seem like he was emotionally engaged within the recreation. 

‘He is a pacesetter on the market, so is (Gerard) Pique and so is (Sergio) Busquets. The backbone of the group at Barcelona look weak and simply fell to bits. 4-1 – it might have been 5 – 6. It is worrying instances for Barcelona.’ 

Metropolis have been Messi’s greatest suitors final summer time as he regarded to exit on a free switch, however a transfer didn’t materialise after Barcelona demanded that his £629million launch clause was paid out.

And Former Chelsea and West Ham star Cole additionally claimed that it will be a ‘gamble’ for Pep Guardiola to land Messi – who has additionally been linked with PSG – subsequent summer time.

‘You’d must do your due diligence earlier than you signal Messi,’ Cole added. ‘He regarded disinterested tonight. 

‘The 34-year-old Messi, if he performs like that it is going to be a big gamble. To take him right into a membership the place Pep depends on vitality, enthusiasm, togetherness.

‘It is a mess at Barca, I do not know the way they are going to type it out. I can not see Messi staying there. 

‘It should be robust for him to attach into one in every of these huge groups as a result of he will must roll again the clock and transfer like he did three or 4 years in the past.’