Pochettino makes Messi feelings clear as 'unhappy' PSG star ends Ligue 1 drought

Mauricio Pochettino insisted Lionel Messi remains "the best player in the world" after the Paris Saint-Germain superstar ended his lengthy wait for a second Ligue 1 goal.

Messi, 34, produced a trademark dinked finish to score PSG's third in a 5-1 rout of defending champions Lille on Sunday.

The Argentine superstar also chipped in with his second assist in two league games to suggest he has finally found his feet after an injury and coronavirus -struck start in the French capital.

Messi has not been his usual free-scoring self since joining PSG last summer following the expiry of his contract at Barcelona.

His only Ligue 1 goal prior to his delicate finish against Lille came against Nantes back in November, and his best performances have been confined to the Champions League.

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Reports from the continent earlier in February claimed Messi is unhappy with the climate in Paris compared to Barcelona and his family are struggling to adapt to the culture.

But Pochettino played down these fears after the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner shone against Lille, arguing it is natural new players need time to adapt.

"I had no doubts, Leo is the best player in the world," the PSG boss told reporters. "Like anyone, he needs time to adapt.

"He needed time to recover his best physical shape, after a month without playing because of the Covid.

"It's important that Leo shows such participation and commitment."

Messi hitting a vein of form comes at the opportune moment for PSG as they prepare to begin their Champions League knockout-stage campaign.

They take on Rennes in Ligue 1 on Friday before the first leg of their blockbuster last-16 clash with Real Madrid four days later.

Messi shares a bitter rivalry with Los Blancos thanks to his many years lining up for Barca on the other end of El Clasico.

He has won the Champions League four times across his glittering career and PSG will hope he can inspire them to their first triumph in the competition.

Indeed, success in Europe is viewed as the main reason PSG sporting director Leonardo and chief executive Nasser Al-Khelaifi handed Messi a lucrative contract worth £29million per year.

The Barcelona academy graduate was unplayable at times during this season's Champions League group stage and scored five goals in five games, including a brilliant strike against Manchester City.

PSG, who were beaten by Bayern Munich in the 2020 final, travel to the Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg in early March with a spot in the quarter-finals on the line.