Messi has scored four goals in Ligue 1 this season
Paris Saint-Germain attacker Lionel Messi has been snubbed by his Ligue 1 peers after the nominees for the Player of the Season award were revealed.
The French players’ union (UNFP) announced the nominees for its 2021/22 awards, with Messi’s teammate Kylian Mbappe – who has won the award for the past two years – in the running for the accolade, along with Monaco striker Wissam Ben Yedder, Marseille midfielder Dimitri Payet, Lyon’s Lucas Paqueta and Martin Terrier of Rennes.
The Argentine, by his own high standards, has endured somewhat of an underwhelming campaign, scoring just four goals in 23 Ligue 1 matches.
Booed by home supporters
However, the Barcelona legend has registered 13 assists in Ligue 1 and performed well in the Champions League, scoring five goals in seven appearances.
Despite this, the Parisians exited the tournament after collapsing against Real Madrid in the quarter-final in a 3-2 aggregate defeat.
Following the defeat to Madrid, Messi, as well as teammate Neymar, were booed by their own supporters in Ligue 1 games.
It is Messi’s lowest tally of league goals since the 2004/05 season when he first broke into the Barcelona team, with the forward scoring one goal in seven LaLiga appearances in that campaign.
Neymar also misses out
Neymar, who has also struggled this season, has also been snubbed for the award, with the Brazilian scoring just 11 goals in all competitions.
Kylian Mbappé nominated for UNFP’s Best Player of the Season🏅🇫🇷
Messi isn’t in the list ❌🇦🇷
— PSGhub (@PSGhub) May 3, 2022
However, Mbappe – who has scored 35 goals in 43 appearances – will be hoping to clinch the prize for the third time running.
Dominance with Barcelona
During his time at Barcelona, Messi was shortlisted for a domestic award every year since 2009 – being voted as LaLiga’s ‘Best Player’ in nine out of 13 seasons. The 34-year-old was also voted the league’s ‘Best Forward’ on 11 occasions.
Related links:
- Fans slam ‘selfish’ Kylian Mbappé for ignoring pass option to Lionel Messi
- Lionel Messi ranked above Benzema as best performing player in Europe this season
- Steven Gerrard doubles down on Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate
