“
You have to be big, huge, strong.
“If he loves it very much, Antoine Kombouaré does not intend to give PSG a gift on Saturday (9 p.m.), during the 25th day of Ligue 1. “
I am waiting to be big and to emerge victorious of this confrontation, even if I know it will be difficult … It's a big challenge
, "insists the coach of the Canaries, underlining the "
great match
" of the leader in the L1 standings on Tuesday, against Real Madrid (1-0) , in the Champions League.
"
It's a great victory for Mauricio Pochettino, their reference match this season
", greets "
Golden Helmet
", himself hero of a PSG-Real in 1993 (4-1).
Lionel Messi, he cannot claim this status.
To discover
Calendar and results Ligue 1
League 1 standings
He did not shine against Casa Blanca, leaving Kylian Mbappé to release the Rouge et Bleu at the end, and his performances have been worrying since the start of the season, even if there has recently been an upturn in Lille (1 -5).
"
He had a good match
," corrects Kombouaré, paraphrasing Pochettino about the 34-year-old's seven-time Ballon d'Or.
“I love the player. For me, we do not touch it! From there, I find all the criticism towards Messi to be very harsh. »
Antoine Kombouaré on Lionel Messi
Asked about the “Pulga” this Thursday, at a press conference, the Kanak technician asked the entry point: “
The problem is that you are talking to an unconditional.
For me, Messi, we do not touch!
I give you my opinion… I will never criticize Messi.
Kombouaré is not blind, however.
“
He was born in 1987. He is 34-35 years old (35 in June, editor’s note).
He is no longer Barca's Messi.
It was never someone who ran all over the place.
It's the Messi I love, I love the player.
For me, we do not touch it!
From there, I find that all criticism of Messi is very harsh
, ”he squeaks, noting that the number 30 of Paris-SG is one of the players for whom he would pay his place at the stadium, with Zinedine Zidane.
"
I love football, the game, the great players, the handsome players, in addition, they are very humble.
You have to respect your career.
He is his age but he is still very good.
You see what you want to see.
He no longer has the backstroke, he is no longer capable of scoring 50 goals per season.
But it's Messi, we don't touch Messi
, ”he continued.
Read alsoHUMEUR - PSG: we must save the soldier Messi
And to conclude: “
There are still people who want to see him take the ball and dribble around everyone… But it's over.
You must accept.
“That's the whole problem… Charge to Leo Messi, who has scored only seven goals and delivered eight assists this season, in 21 matches in all competitions, to find a way to remain a major asset for Paris- SG, failing to go back in time.
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Lionel Messi's first goal in Ligue 1 with Paris SG
Mbappe's PSG
In any case, it is now Kylian Mbappé's team.
No one therefore expects La Puce to bring rain or shine on the banks of the Seine… We are however entitled to hope for more than what the native of Rosario showed on Tuesday evening, despite a good start. game and a handful of good balls.
"
You have the right to criticize, to say what you want, you can allow me to say what I think and to stay on my opinion
," said Kombouaré, 58, player at PSG between 1991 and 1995, coach. from the reserve from 1999 to 2003 and from the first team, from 2009 to December 2011. His FCN, winner against Paris last season, at the Parc des Princes (1-2), is ninth in the standings.