Nephew of ex-Super Eagles star plays on the same pitch as Lionel Messi as Rennes beat PSG

Published: October 03, 2021

Lesley Ugochukwu, nephew of retired Nigeria international Onyekachi Apam, was on the same pitch as Argentina icon Lionel Messi in a French Ligue 1 clash between Rennes and Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday.

Messi suffered his first defeat as a player of PSG with the champions losing 2-0 to the Brittany club at Roazhon Park.

Three minutes to the end of the game, Rennes manager Bruno Génésio brought on Ugochukwu to replace Flavien Tait in a tactical substitution.

Messi hit the woodwork with a lovely free-kick on the half hour mark, before Gaëtan Laborde opened the scoring just before half-time.

A minute into the second half, Tait capitalised on a cross from Laborde to double Rennes' advantage.

The 17-year-old Ugochukwu gave away a free-kick in the sixth minute of stoppage time for tripping former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum.

A France U18 international, Ugochukwu has forced his way into Rennes' first team squad on a permanent basis in 2021-2022 following the sale of Eduardo Camavinga to Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.

So far this season, the central midfielder has been included in every matchday squad and tasted action in nine matches including seven in the French top-flight.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : staderennais.com

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