Has Lionel Messi scored for PSG? Home debut drama as Messi is subbed

Lionel Messi was controversially substituted by Paris St Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino on his home debut for the French club.

Messi was making his first appearance at the Parc des Princes, having previously featured in two away games.

The Argentinian superstar has yet to find the net for his new club since his sensational free transfer switch from Barcelona in the summer.

And the wait goes on after he was hooked from the field by Pochettino with 15 minutes left against Lyon, with PSG drawing 1-1 at the time.

Mauro Icardi then struck a last-minute winner as the home side won 2-1.

Messi went close early on after being played in by a backheel from Neymar and his shot was saved by Anthony Lopes before he hit the angle of crossbar and post with a 30-yard free-kick.

Lyon broke the deadlock nine minutes into the second half through Lucas Paqueta.

Neymar equalised from the penalty spot in the 66th minute for his first Ligue 1 goal of the season.

Messi was substituted with 15 minutes left, replaced by right-back Achraf Hakimi. There was a brief exchange with Pochettino and he didn’t look happy as he took his seat on the bench.

Just when it seemed PSG would have to settle for a point, Kylian Mbappe’s cross from the left was headed into the bottom corner by Icardi to move them five points clear at the top.

What has been said?

“I think we all know we have great players in this 35-man squad,” said Pochettino. “Only 11 can play, we can’t play more. The decisions in the game are made for the good of the team and each player.

“Every coach thinks about that. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes players like it and sometimes they don’t. At the end of the day, that’s why we’re here.

“These are decisions that have to be made by the coach. As for his reaction, I asked him how he was, he said he was OK. That was it. That was our exchange.”