Messi remains absent for PSG trip to Bordeaux
Lionel Messi has been ruled out of Paris Saint-Germain's Ligue 1 clash with Bordeaux through injury, but the forward is expected to be available for Argentina's upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi was replaced at half-time in PSG's 2-1 comeback win over Lille last week and subsequently missed Thursday's (AEDT) 2-2 draw with RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League.
The Barcelona legend is continuing to struggle with a knee and hamstring issue and will not be risked against Bordeaux on Sunday (AEDT) as Mauricio Pochettino's side looks to tighten its grip on top spot.
Messi also missed a string of games upon joining PSG from Barca in August, but Pochettino is hopeful his compatriot can return to action during Argentina's games with Uruguay and Brazil over the next fortnight.
"Lionel's not available on Saturday [Sunday AEDT] and will not travel with us," Pochettino said at the pre-match news conference. "We hope that he'll be available for Argentina and return to us afterwards."
Messi has had 15 shots in Ligue 1 without finding the net since arriving on a free transfer from Barcelona, failing to score from an expected goals value of 1.9, with his only three goals for PSG coming in the UEFA Champions League.
The superstar forward is not alone in enduring a frustrating start to a new career outside of Spain, with team-mate Sergio Ramos yet to feature for the club since joining on a free transfer from Real Madrid in July.
Reports from France this week suggested PSG chiefs are growing restless with Ramos on his road to recovery, but the experienced centre-back is now closing in on a return to action.
PSG confirmed on its website that Ramos is set to take part in full training next week, potentially meaning he could make his long-awaited debut against Nantes on 21 November (AEDT).
Pochettino's side is eight points clear at the top of the table, but it has often had to rely on late goals to pick up victories and was held by Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.
Despite that setback, Pochettino is happy with the progress made by his side since he took charge at the start of the year.
Indeed, PSG has won 76 per cent of its Ligue 1 games in 2021 (25 of 33) – only Manchester City (26 of 34) has a better success rate in the top five European leagues over the year.
"I am a satisfied coach," Pochettino said. "The commitment is there to see, though there is the requirement to do better each game. If we score 100 goals, we want more; if we stop a penalty, we want to stop two.
"Today I am satisfied with the state of mind. If the results are there, it's because there is will. We know that the performances will get better and better.
"We are progressing collectively and individually. We have recruited many players and have a squad of 33. We are in a process of construction and have to tackle the priorities, such as helping players adapt.
"From there we can develop a way of playing based on a collective organisation and solid foundations. As a coach I want to win every match 5-0, to have 75 per cent possession, to play attacking and recover the ball as quickly as possible.
"But this is a long process, this is not something I think about while I sleep."
PSG is unbeaten in its past 12 Ligue 1 meetings with Bordeaux and has scored at least once in its past 17 meetings in the competition.
