Ex-France striker Nicolas Anelka has slammed Lionel Messi's start to life at Paris Saint-Germain following his shock departure from Barcelona in August.
Report: Messi's Ideal Next Barca Manager
While he has scored three goals in three UEFA Champions League matches this season, the 34-year-old is yet to provide a single goal or assist in four Ligue 1 games.
With a lot being demanded of Neymar, who has also not made a good start to the league campaign, Anelka feels it is only fair to also look at Messi.
"Today we demand from Neymar, but we can do the same with Messi," he told RMC.
"Since the beginning of the season, it is not extraordinary either.
"There is a player who has six Ballon d'Ors and in the end, he is not so extraordinary."
Despite Anelka's comments, many are backing Messi to win a seventh Ballon d'Or this year:
Anelka, a former Real Madrid striker, then backed Neymar to come good in the coming weeks.
"A difficult time is going on," he continued.
"If the coach thinks he has to play to regain his level, he does play. Leaving him aside or replacing him to break his morale will not fix things.
Ronaldo's Problem With Greenwood?
"You never know what can happen to him on the pitch. Pochettino trusts him and even without Neymar being well, the team continues to win."
