Just Don't Lie! Two Prominent Football Figures Clash Over Lionel Messi

The seasoned coach admitted in an interview with L'Équipe that he still smarts from the retrospective assessments of his work in Paris. During his tenure at the club, he managed the star-studded attacking trio dubbed "MNM" – Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé. The very way he handled this formidable trio became a frequent target of criticism from pundits.

Thierry Henry was among the most vocal critics, questioning the Argentine's tactical decisions in his role as a television analyst. Pochettino, however, maintains that his actions were misinterpreted. He claims that the public perception of his work was often influenced by distorted or incomplete information.

He specifically addressed the reservations about playing Messi on the right wing, where, it was argued, he couldn't fully unleash his potential. According to the 54-year-old coach, this was more a natural evolution of on-field situations than a strictly dictated tactical instruction.

"Thierry Henry, commenting for Prime, said he didn't understand why Pochettino played Messi on the right wing when he's better alongside Neymar. To that, I respond: 'Pochettino and his coaching staff did not intentionally move Messi to the right wing in the second half. Sometimes players find themselves in a defensive position to rest and recharge, and that was precisely Messi's case,'" he explained.

He also pointed out that similar comments can significantly sway public opinion about a coach's work: "So, when a former player like Henry criticizes this situation and places the responsibility on me, it creates a stir. We hear things like: 'This coach doesn't know how to play with Messi. He doesn't know how to utilize Mbappé.'"

The tension between the two men, he said, even escalated to a personal level. The Argentine native admitted he confronted the French legend directly, but his reaction disappointed him: "I remember telling him that. He actually agreed with me and replied: 'Well, what do you want me to do?' No! Don't lie, that's all. Sometimes, it's things like that which hurt me the most."

"When you sign a contract with PSG, it's because you have a track record of success. It's not because someone is doing me a favor. In football, nobody does you favors. I don't care if people call me ugly, fat, or anything else. But to lie...

At that time, we faced a lot of disrespect. I reiterate, we had the necessary expertise to create a solid structure that would give Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé the opportunity to perform at their best. But a decision was made to pull back," concluded the former coach of PSG, Chelsea, and Tottenham.

Mauricio Pochettino departed the Parisian club in the summer of 2022 despite winning the league title. His tenure continues to evoke mixed reactions. After a brief stint at Chelsea, he took charge of the United States national team in 2024, preparing them for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will be a significant challenge for his squad, as they are set to face Paraguay, Australia, and the winner of a play-off in the group stage.