Lionel Messi scores wondergoal but then asks to be substituted in PSG’s draw with Benfica
LIONEL MESSI added yet another wondergoal to his collection – and then asked to be substituted.
The Argentine icon, 35, delivered once more in the Champions League.
He linked up with fellow forwards Neymar and Kylian Mbappe with a driving run, neat passes and superb movement.
And as he received the ball on the edge of area, Messi opened up his body and expertly curled the ball with his left foot, bending it into the side netting of Benfica’s goal in emphatic fashion.
Gary Lineker said: “The gift from the footballing gods that just keeps on giving. Yet another extraordinary goal from the man and the goat that is Lionel Messi.”
Benfica became the 40th team to concede against Messi in the Champions League – the most for any player in the competition.
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However, the ex-Barcelona forward still trails Cristiano Ronaldo in the overall race 140-127.
And the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner could not inspire his side to a win at the Estadio da Luz.
Danilo Pereira’s own goal just before half-time ensured a 1-1 draw – although PSG remain top of Group H on goals scored.
But Messi – out of contract next summer and linked with a return to the Nou Camp – did not see out the full match because he was replaced on 81 minutes by Pablo Sarabia.
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PSG boss Christophe Galtier revealed his No30 superstar had specifically requested to come off and headed straight down the tunnel to the dressing room.
Galtier said: “He signalled that he wanted to come off.
“On the final sprint, he felt tired.
“He came off as he was tired and a fresher teammate was a far more interesting option at that moment.”
