Why was Messi subbed at half-time in PSG’s latest game?

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner was a surprise absentee in the second half as PSG launched a comeback win over Lille.

Mauricio Pochettino substituted Lionel Messi as a ‘precaution’ during Paris Saint-Germain’s 2-1 win over Lille but insists ‘it is not a ‘big issue’.

After suffering a muscle problem in training this week, Messi passed a late fitness test for Friday’s match. The 34-year-old started in central attack but couldn’t make an impact as PSG fell a goal down. He made way for Mauro Icardi during the break, much to the surprise of many fans.

On the bright side, though, Pochettino is confident that his Argentine compatriot will face RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday.

“We have to wait. We spoke with the doctor. It’s a precaution. He couldn’t go on, but it’s not a big issue. He will be available for the next game,” the PSG boss told Amazon Prime.

The Parisians turned things around in Messi’s absence. Marquinhos scored a second-half equalizer in the 77th-minute before Angel Di Maria hit a match-winning goal with just two minutes to spare.

As a result, PSG have – for the time being at least – built a 10-point lead at the top of the Ligue 1 standings.