Lionel Messi was frozen in Santiago Bernabeu, looking stunned.
His right hand was resting on his hip. His left hand held his head. His eyes were closed.
He seemed to want the field to swallow him whole.
As Paris Saint-Germain surrendered to Real Madrid, Messi was unable to watch the celebrations.
This was especially true considering Karim Benzema’s 17-minute hat trick to win the Champions League last-16 match in Madrid.
PSG’s collapse was summed by the fact that the winner was scored straight from the kickoff, after Benzema had scored his second. PSG lost the ball, allowing a quick home attack that saw Vinicius Junior cut into the penalty area. Marquinhos attempted a clearance, but Benzema flicked the ball into the bottom corner.
Marquinhos stated that “we paid dearly for the mistakes we made at the end.” It’s hard to explain.
It is very difficult to explain.
It was difficult to give up a place in the quarterfinals, when Kylian Mbappe had won a memorable late win in the first leg. This moment of excellence — created by Neymar’s pass — came in Madrid’s first half.
With half an hour remaining, the European upstarts were still beating the continent’s kings 2-0 in aggregate.
Leonardo, PSG’s sporting director, stated that “we were convinced that we were the superior side” and that he believed that the team would win the competition.
Instead, PSG conspired with the 13-time European champions to get themselves dumped out of Champions League 3-2 by itself.
“The worst feeling was that we were the stronger side,” Mauricio Pochettino, manager of PSG, said. “But we lost in 10 minutes.”
It’s not why PSG brought one of the most important players of all-time. It is also why so much effort was put into linking the genius 34-year old with Neymar, Mbappe.
After 11 years of Qatari ownership, and more than $1B in transfers, PSG continues to wait for its first Champions League title.
PSG is often seen as a group of players disguised as a team, regardless of who the managers are — Pochettino will be trying to stay in charge next season.
You can’t have success in the places you most want. This was the season where everything fell into place, with Messi’s arrival from Barcelona.
However, only one European final was reached. Bayern Munich lost to them in 2020. Manchester City lost last season to make it the only semifinal.
It was no surprise that PSG President Nasser al-Khelaifi became heated after the latest exit.
At PSG, there will be recriminations.
The easy part of the year is winning the French title. PSG has won the French title eight times in nine seasons, despite Lille’s misfortune.
PSG’s leadership is eager to parade the European Cup in Paris and Doha for a club where winning trophies can be more about projecting sporting power for Emir of Qatar than it is about delivering for Parc de Princes regulars.
Leonardo stated, “When things happen we must think about them and consider why they happened.” We need to take the time to do that.
What time will Leonardo and Pochettino spend together?
Someone will take the blame.
Pochettino attempted to shift the blame onto the referee because Benzema was not penalized for a foul against Gianluigi Donarumma prior to the first goal, which launched the comeback at the 61stminute.
Pochettino grumbled about VAR, “It’s unbelievable.” It’s clear that it is a foul, so it’s difficult to accept. “I’m not complaining.”
It sure sounded that way.
Pochettino stated that “the next few weeks will not be easy.”
Can PSG accept these excuses?
Leonardo stated, “It’s quite a blow.” “We must accept our failures and inability to manage difficult situations. We have lost, and there are many things to analyze.”
Leonardo spoke of the need to “find solutions as soon as possible.” Marquinhos thought that the team would be more mature in Europe next season.
If a team cannot lift the European Cup even with Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe then how will they do it?
Mbappe will be out of contract in three month’s time after Madrid rejected Madrid’s offer to sign him.
He’s likely to play against PSG again in the Champions League — or Madrid. What pain would it be for Messi?
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