Lionel Messi is undoubtedly one of the best players on Earth, but he’s not having a great season at PSG. The Argentine has struggled to play regularly and he has only scored seven goals in Paris so far – twice in Ligue 1, five times in the Champions League.
That’s why all the eyes were on him ahead of the round of 16 tie against Real Madrid, with the soccer community eager to see if Messi stepped up against one of his favorite victims.
However, it’s been a long time since he scored against El Merengue and he missed out on a great opportunity to end the drought. In the first leg of the UCL round of 16, Thibaut Courtois denied Messi’s spot-kick.
Watch: Messi misses penalty against Real Madrid
It’s not a secret that Paris Saint-Germain aim to become European champions for the first time this season. But the knockout stage brought them a challenging task from the very beginning by drawing them with Real Madrid.
After an uneventful first half, Mauricio Pochettino‘s men started to put the visitors’ back against the wall. But Courtois has firmly stopped any effort from the hosts so far, including a penalty kick from Lionel Messi.
Video for US viewers:
Video for UK viewers:
Video for Canada viewers:
Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Managing Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of multiple sports, including NFL and soccer, with a specialty in original content and real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Managing Editor since May 2025, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis with interviews and exclusive content.
