It's Not Lionel Messi, Christophe Galtier Reveals PSG's Top 2 Choices For Penalties

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) boss Christophe Galtier has revealed his side's top two penalty takes and Lionel Messi is not one of them.

In PSG's latest Ligue 1 outing, Neymar's penalty helped the Paris-based club secure a 1-1 draw against Monaco.

Earlier this season, when Neymar and Kylian Mbappe clashed over penalties in a game against Montpellier, Galtier had made it clear that the Frenchman was his preferred penalty taker. However, against Monaco at Parc des Princes on Sunday, the two star forwards cooperated and it was Neymar who took the spot-kick.

While appreciating the understanding between Neymar and Mbappe in a recent interview, Galtier admitted it is these two who are PSG's top two preferred penalty takers ahead of seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi.

"The hierarchy has been well established: it's Kylian one and Neymar two [for penalties]. But there is the reality of the match and the moment I saw that they exchanged and that Neymar made the decision to take it after discussing with Kylian," Galtier told reporters, according to Goal.com.

Galtier, who took over PSG's charge this season, also revealed that Neymar asked Mbappe if he could take the penalty Sunday. This came as a positive sign for the Ligue 1 champions amid speculation about unrest in their dressing room.

"I appreciated the attitude of Kylian to have congratulated him and that of Neymar to have thanked him. They are great players and it is also up to them to decide what it is based on how they feel. The most important thing is that Neymar asked him [nicely] and that Kylian came to congratulate him," added Galtier.

The 30-year-old Neymar has had a flying start to the 2022-23 campaign, having already netted eight goals and provided six assists in five games for PSG.

Mbappe, on the other hand, has scored four goals in three competitive appearances. Messi also has netted four goals in five matches but he also has two assists to his name.

PSG's next Ligue 1 fixture is an away one against Toulouse FC at Stadium Municipal on Wednesday.