Paris Saint-Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino says his decision to replace Lionel Messi in their French football league match against Lyon was "for the good of the team".
PSG defeated the rivals 2-1 in their home debut at the Parc des Princes, but Messi left the pitch unimpressed after being pulled off in the 76th minute when the game was in the balance at 1-all.
Messi stared sharply at Pochettino and appeared to snub a handshake as he came off.
The six-time Ballon d'Or winner, who is still chasing his first PSG goal in his third appearance following his shock move from Barcelona, sat glum-faced on the bench.
"I think we all know we have great players in this 35-man squad," Pochettino said after the match.
"Only 11 can play, we can't play more. The decisions in the game are made for the good of the team and each player.
"Every coach thinks about that. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes players like it and sometimes they don't.
"As for his reaction, I asked him how he was, he said he was okay. That was it. That was our exchange."
