A former France star has leaped to the defence of Lionel Messi, who has been accused of not caring about Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi's time in the French capital has not gone as many would have expected, although he is on course to lift another Ligue 1 title.
Following PSG's UEFA Champions League in the round of 16 this month, a number of players-turned-pundits came out criticisng the Argentine, with former PSG star Jerome Rothen claiming he is not trying his best.
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Former France international Johan Micoud has now defended the World Cup winner, who has registered 17 goals and 18 assists across all competitions this season.
"You can't speak in the player's place," Micoud said on L'Equipe.
" What allows you to say that he doesn't care about PSG? He told you that, right? No, but already talking like that…"."You can say he's not happy here, but he doesn't care about PSG… I don't see that on the pitch. I don't see anyone who doesn't give a damn. I can't let you say that. It's not true"
He continued, "In Barcelona and in Argentina, he feels loved. Here [Paris], he does not feel loved. After all, he's a human being. And to be at the top, he must feel loved. But to say that he doesn't care about PSG, I don't agree at all.
"And then, there are the supporters who whistle him.
"He tries, but at some point… There is also the elimination against Bayern, they say it's because of Messi. And some say that if we have to win the Champions League then PSG get rid of Messi. How do you want the guy to be happy? "
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