Even though the 2022 FIFA World Cup is only a few days away, Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier made the choice to start Messi and many other players who had been selected to play for their respective national teams at the competition in PSG’s Ligue 1 home match against AJ Auxerre.
PSG’s superstar attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe were in the starting 11 on Ligue 1 matchday 15.
Messi and Neymar were both subbed off at the 75th minute. Meanwhile, Mbappe stayed on the pitch until the final whistle blew.
Why Did Galtier Sub Out Messi?
Speaking to Prime Video Sport France after PSG’s 5-0 win over AJ Auxerre, Galtier provided a bit of reasoning behind his decision to sub off Messi and Neymar but not Mbappe in the fixture.
“No one was especially concerned about the World Cup, surely more me than my players.
“And for me at one point I wanted to relieve Neymar, Leo (Messi) and Sergio (Ramos) who is not going to the World Cup but had a little fatigue in the calves,” Galtier said.
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“Kylian is 23 years old, Neymar had stopped in the middle of the week on a training session. Leo was coming back from an overload on his calf.
“It also seemed appropriate to give playing time to other players.”
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