How Messi is changing his game in PSG, and the benefits for Neymar and Mbappé

Leo Messi left Barcelona a year ago due to the impossibility of meeting his wage bills and thus left a devastating void in the team. The departure of 'La Pulga' was as painful as it was surprising since, in the weeks prior to his departure, Joan Laporta seemed to have reached an agreement with him to extend his contract by taking a significant cut in his salary.

However, in the end this could not happen, even assuming such a drop in his contractual terms, and Leo Messi arrived at the Parc des Princes, where he has become a completely new player. It should be noted that, in his first season with the team, his performance was not as expected, partly due to the high expectations placed on him by Nasser Al-Khelaïfi.

More international soccer news:

What PSG owner did to put pressure on Messi to win the Champions League

PSG dance to the beat of Lionel Messi and Mbappé looks discontent

What has become clear since he left the Camp Nou a year ago, is that Messi has ceased to be that natural goalscorer who shone at Barça to become the best playmaker and assister, completely altering the role he has held throughout his successful career as a Blaugrana player.

The statistics make this as clear as daylight: since his arrival at the Parc des Princes, Leo has registered more assists, 18, than goals, 15.

Messi opens up space for Mbappé and Neymar

This is also because, while at Barça he was the absolute reference of the team, the new PSG of Galtier also has in its ranks two other superstars in Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, who thrive in front of goal, specially Mbappé. In this way Messi’s star teammates are enjoying the benefits of Messi playing behind them.