Hakimi could hold the key to getting Messi up to speed
IS LIONEL Messi still a footballer, or just a celebrity? Judging by coverage of the six-times Ballon d’Or winner’s transfer to PSG, you’d be hard pressed to choose. Since the Argentine superstar’s move to Paris ten days ago, the media have told us about the birthday party he’s attended (team-mate Ander Herrera’s, for those that are interested), the Italian restaurant he and wife Antonela ate at on their first date night in their new home city and the highly-regarded school the couple’s three children may now switch to following the family’s installation in the French capital.
At times, it’s felt like reading in the pages of an upmarket gossip magazine about a Hollywood star’s relocation to glamorous new surroundings. Yet all of the above facts were detailed in the daily French sports papers, or on football-only websites. There’s a thesis to be written one day on what the reporting of Messi’s transfer tells us about the ‘VIP-ification’ of the beautiful game.
So far there’s been little analysis of what the addition of Messi actually means for PSG on the field. Will the team be any better for the inclusion of the greatest player of all time?
On one level, the question feels absurd. Would any team on earth be anything but stronger with Messi wearing their colours?
He will delight and enthrall us. Ligue 1 defences will, on occasion, be made to look silly. PSG will go viral more than ever.
There’s another side to this story. Paris’ goal is to conquer Europe, yet last season they couldn’t even retain their Ligue 1 title. They finished second behind champions Lille, despite having Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in their side.
Will adding Messi to the mix automatically ensure the Qatarifinanced super-club finally achieve their ultimate objective of claiming
the Champions League? There’s no guarantee it will.
Tactically, signing the 34-year-old throws up as many questions as answers. Mauricio Pochettino’s PSG in 2021-22 will line-up in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 shape.
In a 4-2-3-1, Messi is likely to operate as the No.10, with Angel Di Maria and Neymar on the wings, and Mbappe as the striker.
In a 4-3-3, Di Maria drops to the bench, and Messi shifts to the right flank. Yet the removal from the starting XI of Di Maria – the hardestworking member of PSG’s attack – has the potential to make the team even more ineffective off the ball than they already were. The inadequacy of PSG’s front line out of possession is well-documented. This shortcoming has just been made worse.
This is why PSG’s most important summer signing may end up not being Messi, but Achraf Hakimi. The Morocco international, a £54million purchase from Inter, is one of the world’s best right-backs. The energy and stamina with which he performs on the right flank now look set to be more important than ever.
The reality in football lies out on the pitch. As Messi’s debut nears, and the gossip columns turn their attention to other faces among the Parisian glitterati, we’re about to find out what his move to PSG truly means.