LIGUE 1 - Messi's bruised knee puts him out of PSG's clash with Metz

Lionel Messi will miss PSG's match against Metz on Wednesday owing to a knee ailment, which Mauricio Pochettino said was the actual reason for his surprising decision to rest the six-time Ballon d'Or winner against Lyon at the weekend.

After receiving a blow to his left knee during Sunday's 2-1 triumph, the Argentine international had an MRI on Tuesday. The club claimed in a statement that the results indicated evidence of bone bruising.

After 76 minutes against Lyon, Messi was replaced by full-back Achraf Hakimi, who was making his first home appearance for PSG since joining from Barcelona.

On Tuesday, he stated that Messi's fitness was the basis for the switch, despite the team's current score.

"On the touchline we are always observing the players, seeing what is happening during the match, and we saw that Leo was looking at his knee," Pochettino told reporters.

"We are pleased with the way he played. He played very well in the first half, and the only thing missing was a goal.

"He played for 76 minutes and with all the information we had we decided to take him off," added Pochettino, who said he accepted that substituting a player of Messi's status might surprise observers.