Galtier Applauds Messi’s Leadership, Performance in PSG’s Victory vs. Toulouse

Lionel Messi was the leader of the Paris Saint-Germain attack in the capital club’s 2-1 win over Toulouse FC on Saturday at the Parc des Princes. 

PSG was without Kylian Mbappe and Neymar Jr. for the Ligue 1 clash, so the Argentine was the catalyst. Achraf Hakimi scored the game-tying goal after the French giants fell 1-0, but then Messi recorded the eventual game-winner off a one-touch strike. 

After the victory, manager Christophe Galtier spoke with Prime Video (h/t Canal Supporters), where he discussed the performance of the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner. 

“Leo holds the team,” Galtier said postgame. “There is obviously the absence, not only of two players, of Kylian and Ney but also of Marco Verratti, Sergio Ramos. He assumes this [leadership role]. It is in a natural way. Today and in the middle of the week, he obviously has a lot of importance in our game. He is an important benchmark. He takes a lot of initiative in the game [and] in the animation. But you have to give him the ball even more.”

Until Neymar gets back from, as he continues his treatment and individual training sessions following pain in his groin, the PSG attack runs through Messi. It will also require players like Hakimi to find another level until Mbappe returns in three weeks. 

The biggest test will come in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash against Bayern Munich on Feb. 14. It’s one thing to perform when facing Montpellier or Toulouse; it’s another to play at a high level against the Bundesliga side. 

Tags Christophe Galtier Lionel Messi Toulouse
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