Former Arsenal and Chelsea French star Nicolas Anelka says there is nothing so extraordinary about Lionel Messi.
Messi, 34, is yet to score a league goal or assist in four Ligue 1 appearances since joining PSG from Barcelona.
But Messi has found some form in the UEFA Champions League with three goals in three games.
Despite the Argentine’s match-winning contributions in the Champions League, his domestic form has seen him come in for criticism, with teammate Neymar also receiving similar treatment from some quarters.
Anelka, who played for PSG in the past, has now weighed in on the matter, insisting that Messi deserves to have as much questions asked of him as Neymar has.
“Today we demand from Neymar, but we can do the same with Messi,” the 2000 Champions League winner with Real Madrid told radio programme RMC.
“Since the beginning of the season it is not extraordinary either.
“There is a player who has six Ballon d’Ors and in the end he is not so extraordinary.”
This is not the first time Anelka has commented on the Argentine forward since his move to Paris from Spain, telling Le Parisien in September that Messi “must serve [Kylian] Mbappe”.
“Mbappe has to lead the attack because he’s No. 1,” the 42-year-old told the French news outlet.
“Messi was at Barcelona, but now he has to serve Mbappe.
“He’s been at the club for five years and Messi has to respect him.”
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