Lionel Messi was substituted at half-time in Paris Saint-Germain's clash with Lille as a 'precaution', Mauricio Pochettino has revealed.
Messi, 34, was withdrawn at the interval with PSG 1-0 down against defending champions Lille on Friday night. The former Barcelona man started the match up front and was searching for his first Ligue 1 goal for the French giants, but appeared to be struggling with a muscle problem.
Pochettino made the decision to take Messi off at the break and sent on Mauro Icardi in his place to try and turn the game around.
The decision caused uproar on social media, but PSG battled back to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Marquinhos and Angel Di Maria.
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