PSG vs Nice: Lionel Messi showed off his seventh and latest Ballon d’Or to Paris Saint-Germain supporters on Wednesday before the match against 2nd placed Nice. The 34-year-old had been a pre-match doubt having reportedly picked up a stomach bug after going out to celebrate being named the best player in the world for the seventh time at a ceremony in Paris on Monday.
🏆 #BallonDor – 𝙇𝙚𝙤 𝙈𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞
🏆 #TropheeYachine – @gigiodonna1An incredible reception at the Parc Des Princes tonight! #PSGOGCN pic.twitter.com/lBlWfEA3dH
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) December 1, 2021
PSG vs Nice: Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or party spoiled as PSG drop points at home against Nice, Watch video
Messi’s fellow teammate and Italian National Team goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma also showed off an award pre-match, the Italian displayed the Yashin Trophy he won at the Ballon d’Or gala for being the best goalkeeper of a year in which he starred in his side’s Euro 2020 victory.
The PSG crowd welcome their Ballon d’Or and Yashin Trophy winners 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Rnl5Dt5Isn
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 1, 2021
Also Read: PSG vs Nice: PSG’s perfect home record ends with 0-0 draw against Nice
Despite his victory, the Argentinian wasn’t able to mark it with a glorious performance and had a quiet night as the Ligue 1 leaders were held to a 0-0 draw by Nice at the Parc des Princes
With Neymar already missing, the PSG staff decided to start Messi alongside Angel Di Maria and Kylian Mbappe, the pair of Di Maria and Mbappe also came the closest to finding the net after the break for PSG, who had a huge let-off as Kasper Dolberg hit the post for Nice in the second half when it seemed easier to score. Messi has still managed just one Ligue 1 goal since moving to Paris in August from Barcelona, although he has also netted three times in the Champions League.
PSG vs Nice: Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or party spoiled as PSG drop points at home against Nice, Watch video
The Yashin Trophy winner Gigi Donnarumma did not have too much to do against Nice, although he did make one crucial stop from an Andy Delort header just after the half-hour mark.
Despite the draw, Mauricio Pochettino’s PSG side are still 12 points clear at the top of the French table from Marseille, who climbed up to second with a 1-0 win at Nantes on Wednesday as Brazilian midfielder Gerson got their goal.
PSG vs Nice: Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or party spoiled as PSG drop points at home against Nice, Watch video
Marseille, who still have a game in hand after the abandonment of their recent match at Lyon, move above Rennes after the Brittany side went down 2-1 at home to defending champions Lille.
Nice slip to fourth in the table, while fifth-placed Lens drew 2-2 at Clermont. The big winners of the evening were Strasbourg, who crushed struggling Bordeaux 5-2 and sit sixth in the table.
Editors pick
