Lionel Messi accused of disrespecting Mauricio Pochettino as Neymar also slammed

Lionel Messi ‘impatient’ to get started with new chapter at Paris St Germain

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Lionel Messi has been accused of disrespect, after he did not inform Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino that he got Coronavirus, according to reports. Reports in France have claimed the former Tottenham Hotspur manager learned of the Barcelona legend’s positive Covid-19 test through third parties, rather than his Argentine compatriot himself.

With French football enjoying a winter break, the 34-year-old was seen at a concert with his wife Antonela in Rosario, Santa Fe.

While nobody can accurately pin-point where Messi contracted Covid-19, the Argentine still had to miss PSG’s 4-0 away victory against third-tier side Vannes in the French Cup on Monday.

However, the manner in which Pochettino was informed of the seven-time Ballon d’Or’s positive test appears to have left a sour taste.

And former PSG star Jerome Rothen tore into the Argentina captain and stated his actions were extremely disrespectful to his manager.

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“You must always respect your coach, this is what I was taught in Clairefontaine,” Rothen said to Radio Montecarlo.

“The coach must be above everyone else, it does not matter if it is a star or a youth player – the boss must be the head of the time.

“Pochettino was not updated as to where Messi was, and that explains a lot of things. This is not a good thing and I think it is very shocking from Messi.”

Messi has endured a mixed time since his stunning arrival in the summer, only contributing one goal and five assists in eleven Ligue One appearances but scoring a stunning five goals in five Champions League appearances.

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However, Rothen maintained his belief that the 34-year-old’s approach and demeanour after his positive test was very “disrespectful” to Pochettino.

“’Pochettino is being disrespected by Lionel Messi,” the ex-PSG winger added.

“The coach must be the strong man, the one who shows the real values. The only one who strongly respects him, in my opinion, is Kylian Mbappe and I do not sense anything with the other players.

“If you don’t respect your coach then you cannot be successful. PSG has suffered a lot from this in recent years.”

Rothen also reserved plenty of criticism for Messi’s attacking partner and former Barcelona teammate Neymar.

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After PSG announced the club would allow Neymar to remain in Brazil while he recovers from injury, Rothen accused the £200m man of “being on holiday” instead of working on his recovery.

“You never have one of your key players treated abroad and less in his own country,” Rothen said to CBS. 

“Neymar is on holiday. It is not normal, and PSG still suffers through this.

“Neymar’s social media b*******, poker, parties, and new year stuff.

“Now he is going to make comeback videos for us doing weights and say that he is getting ready to come back on form in February.”

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