L. Messi

PSG player ratings: History makers Lionel Messi & Kylian Mbappe inspire season's best display vs Marseille

Thomas Hindle
Last updated
Comments (0)
Kylian Mbappé Lionel Messi PSG
Getty
Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi starred in the absence of Neymar, leading Paris Saint-Germain to a 3-0 win over Ligue 1 rivals Marseille.

PSG broke the deadlock after 25 minutes, as Mbappe ran in behind and met Lionel Messi's pass with a driven finish. He returned the favour 10 minutes later, threading a cross through a defender's legs for an easy tap in for Messi.

The duo only continued to dazzle, with Messi finding Mbappe again with a delicate chip — which the French international swept into the bottom corner on the volley.

Marseille had their moments, but PSG defended dutifully and kept a valuable clean sheet, while extending their Ligue 1 lead to eight points.

GOAL rates PSG's players from Stade Velodrome...

Editors' Picks

  1. Goalkeeper & Defence
    Getty

    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Gianluigi Donnarumma (7/10):

    Made a couple of neat saves, kept a clean sheet. A good day.

    Nordi Mukiele (7/10):

    The more conservative of the wing-backs. Didn't do much wrong defensively.

    Sergio Ramos (7/10):

    Dominant in the air and tidy on the ball. Not the centre-back he once was, but Ramos can still perform at this level.

    Marquinhos (8/10):

    Threw himself in front of shots, made some key blocks. Crucial in keeping a clean sheet as the game wound down.

    Presnel Kimpembe (5/10):

    Substituted early after sustaining another leg injury. It's been a spell of rotten luck for the France international.

    Nuno Mendes (7/10)

    Recovered well to prevent Tavares from scoring. Made some excellent forward runs.

  2. Midfield

    Vitinha (7/10):

    Better defensively, and more convincing driving forward. Only lost the ball once, which was crucial against an aggressive Marseille midfield.

    Marco Verratti (8/10):

    Active off the ball, reliable on it. Makes this team so much better.

    Fabian Ruiz (7/10):

    Made the most tackles in the match, got forward often, and found Messi and Mbappe with regularity.

  4. Attack
    Getty

    Attack

    Lionel Messi (9/10):

    Assisted the first and third, scored the second. Still massive in big moments. Scored his 700th club goal. The best ever.

    Kylian Mbappe (9/10):

    Scored the opener with a lovely diagonal run and finish. Assisted the second with a nutmeg pass. Buried the third with a controlled volley. Now PSG's joint all-time top scorer with 200 goals. Magic.

  5. Subs & Manager
    Getty

    Subs & Manager

    Danilo Pereira (6/10):

    Brought on early to replace the injured Kimpembe and slotted into the right side of a back three. At times uncomfortable, but positionally solid.

    Warren Zaire-Emery (6/10):

    Entrusted with a shift at right-wing-back and did well.

    Juan Bernat (6/10):

    Extra legs for a tiring Nuno Mendes.

    Christophe Galtier (8/10):

    Started with his preferred three centre-back formation. Got his midfield configuration right, and let his stars do their thing. Eight points clear atop Ligue 1 after a rocky spell.