Paris Saint-Germain left it late to secure victory in Ligue 1 on Friday evening.

An 88th-minute winner from Angel Di Maria after an equaliser from Marquinhos saw Mauricio Pochettino's side defeat champions Lille 2-1 at the Parc des Princes.

The visiting side took the lead in the first half through Canadian striker Jonathan David and it was no less than they deserved.

PSG were toothless in attack before the interval, with summer signing Lionel Messi looking utterly disinterested as the team's 'false nine'.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner was an injury doubt in the build-up to the match, but was passed fit and handed a starting berth by Pochettino.

That was clearly a mistake, though.

Messi in action vs Lille

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During the first half in which he was a pale shadow of the Messi we all know and love, the diminutive Argentine was captured feeling the back of his leg in a manner that suggests he was nowhere close to full fitness.

Take a look at the footage here...

Video: Messi highlighting injury issue during first half of PSG vs Lille

Messi should have been on the bench for the Lille game and brought on only as a very last resort, as that video indicates that he's in need of a rest - which isn't surprising given his hectic 2021 schedule.

The Copa America winner was replaced by Mauro Icardi at half-time and is now a doubt for PSG's crucial Champions League match away at RB Leipzig next Wednesday evening.

Messi's first three goals for the French club have all come in European action, with the 34-year-old yet to get off the mark in Ligue 1, despite now having made five appearances in the division.

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But you can bet that Messi will turn it around sooner rather than later, as that's what he and eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo always do.

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