A bit tight for a sevenfold Ballon d'Or.

Paris won again, but the "Pulga" still played an overall rather lackluster game.

Certainly, he returned the politeness to Mbappé by sending him for the first time in their life together a decisive pass (45th).

The N.7 had served him 4 of his 6 goals of the season (5 in the Champions League, 1 in L1).

But it was not the most brilliant gesture of the career of Messi, who took advantage of a gross loss of ball from Youssouf Fofana to then shift Mbappé, already author of the opener (12th sp).

The wonderful rookie of PSG is still slow to give his full potential, despite his first goal - and only - in L1 against Nantes and three assists in Saint-Étienne (3-1), three flashes in an average match on his part despite this statistical.

Messi only released two good full matches, against City in the first leg and against Brugge (4-1, one brace) on Wednesday.

In the absence of Neymar, injured for a few more weeks, the Messi-Mbappé duo had a new opportunity to settle, and the Argentine to weigh on the game.

But he did not do enough, despite a triangle started with "Kyky" and Georginio Wijnaldum (4th), or a one-two requested with the same Wijnaldum, but where the Dutch did not continue the action (35th ).

The mega-star still remains far from his status, and this is still not enough to quench the thirst of the supporters who, however, have the eyes of Chimene for him.

Paris Saint-Germain's Argentine striker, Lionel Messi, during the match against Monaco, counting for the 18th day of Ligue 1, on December 12, 2021 at the Parc des Prince FRANCK FIFE AFP

He touched the post

The Parc des Princes, cut off from the Auteuil turn (suspended for abuse of smoke), the only one to make noise, however sang "Meeeessi! Meeeessi!"

before a well placed free kick, but the Argentinian kicked it clearly above (38th).

Same look and same result in the second half on a free kick still a little better shot, but still above (65th), for the last game at the Park in 2021.

He even missed a control (33rd), which remains very rare but betrays the fact that he is still far from full speed, after more than four months of competition in his new jersey.

His teammates, in particular Mbappé, have yet done a lot to serve him in the best conditions, but he lacks a boost or a bit of success.

The best illustration came from this support on Mbappé where Messi's cross shot touched the post (72nd).

It is on this kind of action that the Argentinian put his best Parisian goal, against Manchester City.

Paris Saint-Germain's Argentine striker, Lionel Messi, misses a goal opportunity against German Monaco goalkeeper Alexander Nubel at the end of the 18th matchday of Ligue 1, December 12, 2021 at the Parc des Prince FRANCK FIFE AFP

The relative powerlessness of the former Barcelona is illustrated by this series of dribbles in the Monegasque area, with a change of direction, but which stumbled against the red and white wall (70th).

It no longer has the execution speed of its peak.

Paris Saint-Germain's Argentine striker, Lionel Messi, stumbles over Monaco's Brazilian midfielder, Jean Lucas De Souza, at the end of the 18th day of Ligue 1, December 12, 2021 at the Parc des Prince Anne-Christine POUJOULAT AFP

Messi however managed a better second period than the first, with this good pass in the race of Marquinhos (67th), perhaps a sign that his better physical form is returning.

And that the beautiful days are ahead of him, for the second part of the season, when Paris will need all his talent.

© 2021 AFP