After a 'disasterclass' compilation highlighted his performance for Paris Saint-Germain, Lionel Messi was slammed by enraged supporters and told he "needs to adapt."
PSG's attempt to defend the French Cup title was thwarted as Nice won a thrilling round-of-16 match on Monday.
Nice advanced to the quarter-finals with a 6-5 shootout triumph at the Parc des Princes after the score was tied during normal time.
PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino started Messi, Mauro Icardi, and Gianluigi Donnarumma in the French Cup tie.
Messi struggled to make an impression against Nice, having only scored once in Ligue 1 since his spectacular free transfer from Barcelona last summer.
And the inept performance of the 34-year-old Argentine forward has been 'exposed' in one compilation, with one fan alleging that defenders "read every [one] of his moves."
Rather than moving the ball fast, he prefers to dribble everyone in his way as if it were 2011." "He needs to change his game," one supporter stated.
"No longer the best in the world," one person tweeted. All three players, [Robert] Lewandowski, Kevin De Bruyne, and Mo Salah, have improved. When he chose PSG over Man City, he squandered away the remaining years of his career."
"We need to watch him play against Eibar one more time to validate some things," someone else said.
"The defenders read every [one] of his maneuvers," a fourth added.
"Can someone explain this youngster this isn't La Liga and defenders aren't frightened of contact?" asked a fifth.
PA is responsible for this image.
PSG's unexpected departure from the French Cup will add to Pochettino's pressure following the Ligue 1 club's lack of silverware.
Pochettino, who has been linked with Manchester United, will face stiff opposition in the Champions League this month when PSG takes on Real Madrid in the round of 16.
Following the defeat to Nice, PSG manager Thomas Tuchel said that his team has to be more "clinical" with their chances.
He stated, "We need to be more clinical."
"It's a lottery when it comes to penalties." Before you get to pens, you have to take your chances in front of goal.
"We opted not to risk Kylian [Mbappe] from the outset since he experienced some discomfort over the last few days."
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