Sergio Ramos admitted he is “no longer suprised” by Lionel Messi’s quality after the Argentinian’s starring role in Paris Saint-Germain’s dramatic 4-3 victory over Lille on Sunday.
An entertaining first half had seen Kylian Mbappe and Neymar give PSG a two-goal lead before Bafode Diakite halved the deficit. Jonathan David’s penalty got Lille back on level terms just before the hour mark and then Jonathan Bamba put the visitors 3-2 up.
Mbappe grabbed the equaliser in the 87th minute before Messi earned the hosts all three points by smashing in a 94th-minute free kick.
The game was chaotic, with sporting director Luis Campos essentially replacing manager Christophe Galtier on the touchline at one point with PSG struggling.
The late goals averted the threat of a fourth straight defeat in all competitions, though Neymar picked up an ankle injury after scoring to put his participation in upcoming clashes with Marseille, Nantes and Bayern Munich in doubt.
Ramos and Messi were famously on opposite sides of the Clasico divide for many years in La Liga. The two players enjoyed great success with Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively before their moves to PSG in the summer of 2021.
“I am no longer surprised by Messi,” he told Amazon Prime after the Lille win. “At Barça he was used to deciding games like he did today [Sunday]. I’m glad he’s on my team now.
“Of course it’s better to have him as a teammate. Whoever you give the choice to, of having Messi with or against you, the response is quick and honest.”
Messi previously admitted in November 2021 it was “weird” to line up alongside Ramos after so many years of rivalry but added he thinks the Spaniard is “a great person”.
Credit: 90min.com
