PSG-Barcelona: Messi not in the Champions League quarterfinals, a first since 2007

We dare not imagine the thoughts of Lionel Messi returning to the pitch after half-time.

The Argentinian, six-time Golden Ball, has enough experience not to dwell on missed opportunities.

But this same experience must have reminded him that missing a penalty just before the break buried all his hopes for a “comeback”.

Faced with Keylor Navas, former Real Madrid and Levante goalkeeper, Barça number 10 had scored his first four attempts.

This Wednesday evening, he used one of his favorite recipes: a powerful strike halfway up, slightly to the side… right on Navas' left knee, luckily for Paris.

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PSG eliminated Barça for the first time in the era of the Qatari shareholder.

Lionel Messi was partly responsible for the Parisian failures against the Catalans.

And proof that leaving "La Pulga" from the round of 16 of the Champions League remains an achievement, we must remember that the last absence of Messi in the quarter-finals dated back to the 2006-2007 season.

He was then only 19 years old, less than two years of professional contract and not a Golden Ball in his hands.

Now 33 and a half years old, the native of Rosario, city of champions (Di Maria, Icardi), no longer has the legs of his great years.

But his left foot retains a sometimes disconcerting remote control function.

Not on a penalty, then.

He preferred to arm from 28 meters a strike in full skylight of Navas, powerless against this floating trajectory.

This goal signed a hopeful equalizer for the Blaugrana, seven minutes after Kylian Mbappé's opener, the reverse scenario of the first leg at Camp Nou.

Unlucky dembele

In the use of the ball, Messi has been found much more by his teammates than on February 16 last.

Often close to the surface, the Argentinian was able to attempt (7 shots in total, including 3 on target) and address passes leading to a strike (3 times), especially for Ousmane Dembélé, who should regret the five missed opportunities of the first half -hour.

On Tuesday evening, FC Porto eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo, top scorer in the history of the competition (134 goals).

The next day, Paris took charge of the second in the standings, Messi and his 120 goals.

Partly thanks to a huge performance by Keylor Navas.

The Argentinian left-hander and his club had not bet dearly on a possible "remountada".

On the brink after the rout of the outward journey, they will at least have demonstrated a certain sense of pride.

Will that be enough to convince Messi to continue at Barca?

The transfer of the century

The Catalan sports press will throw themselves on the subject this Thursday, it is a certainty.

Can the best player in the history of the Blaugrana club, at the end of his contract next June, continue in a team expelled from the top 8?

What is more by a potential candidate for the reception of Messi ... The arrival of Joan Laporta as the new president of Barça is supposed to weigh in favor of a status quo.

For Paris, eliminating Messi is like a gust of wind.

The recruit would be synonymous with hurricane on European football.