Football fans around the world heaped praise on PSG forward Lionel Messi after his hat-trick of assists in PSG's victory over Clermont Foot in Ligue 1 on Saturday. The Argentine forward has been heavily criticized this season for his lack of goals, and was slammed by PSG fans for his performances in the club's 3-2 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid over two legs in the round of 16 of the Champions League.Mauricio Pochettino's side headed into their game on Saturday on the back of a 5-1 victory over Lorient. Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe were all on the scoresheet in that game. The trio once again produced impressive performances this weekend as they helped their side claim a 6-1 win over Clermont Foot.Neymar and Kylian Mbappe scored hat-tricks whilst Lionel Messi registered three assists on the night. A number of football fans believe the Argentine forward should not be judged by his goalscoring numbers as he is the 'greatest playmaker of all time'."Judging Messi by goals is the biggest crime in the history of football", said a fan on Twitter. "The greatest playmaker of all-time."Altin@Altin10iMost hattrick of assists in football history:1. Lionel Messi - 92. Mesut Özil - 83. Cesc Fabregas - 6The greatest playmaker of all-time.1:11 AM · Apr 10, 2022153591732Most hattrick of assists in football history:1. 🇦🇷 Lionel Messi - 92. 🇩🇪 Mesut Özil - 83. 🇪🇸 Cesc Fabregas - 6The greatest playmaker of all-time. https://t.co/lTbWJqYX5eً@LSCompsJudging Messi by goals is the biggest crime in the history of football11:58 AM · Apr 9, 202289521263Judging Messi by goals is the biggest crime in the history of footballmx@MessiMX30ii - Messi (12) needs 6 assists in 7 games to break the all time Ligue 1 assist record. 🤔11:59 AM · Apr 9, 202210249749📊🐐 - Messi (12) needs 6 assists in 7 games to break the all time Ligue 1 assist record. 🤔⏳ https://t.co/BjGbyTF8sCR @Lionel30iSomeone said Messi took the picture and got his fourth assist of the night.. 3:10 AM · Apr 10, 20224851396Someone said Messi took the picture and got his fourth assist of the night.. 😭 https://t.co/VQtMMjOiD7vinar ✪@vinarr__Lionel Messi becomes the first player to record 2 Hatrick of assist in a single ligue 1 season 🪄1:04 AM · Apr 10, 20226537574Lionel Messi becomes the first player to record 2 Hatrick of assist in a single ligue 1 season 🐐🪄 https://t.co/YkLLzNhrIPSara 🦋@SaraFCBi-327th assist-6th career hattrick of assists Only Lionel Messi 12:49 PM · Apr 10, 20225320399-327th assist-6th career hattrick of assists Only Lionel Messi 🇦🇷🐐 https://t.co/nTSCf85M5IThierry Nyann@nyannthierryIf Lionel Messi doesn’t score he play-makes.Messi is the most complete footballer ever.12:49 PM · Apr 10, 202280731140If Lionel Messi doesn’t score he play-makes.Messi is the most complete footballer ever.Gasipo@gasipo_opinionsLionel Messi has now provided 400 assists (incl. non-Opta) in his career, +100 more than any other active player 🤯.11:17 AM · Apr 9, 20227258737Lionel Messi has now provided 400 assists (incl. non-Opta) in his career, +100 more than any other active player 🤯.🇦🇷🐐 https://t.co/IHWyprQBVsMessi™ 🇦🇷@SemperFiMessiWhen Messi doesn’t score, he assists. When Ronaldo doesn’t score, he kicks players and smashes phone.Levels.11:36 AM · Apr 9, 20222101357When Messi doesn’t score, he assists. When Ronaldo doesn’t score, he kicks players and smashes phone.Levels.Lionel Messi joined PSG on a free transfer after his contract expired with Barcelona last summer. The Argentine was expected to team up with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe and lead the French giants to an elusive Champions League title this season.Despite being unable to lead the club past the round of 16 stage of the competition, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has helped PSG climb to the top of the Ligue 1 table. He has scored 3 goals and provided 11 assists in 19 league appearances for Pochettino's side.GOAL@goalAnother hat-trick of assists for Lionel Messi 1:01 AM · Apr 10, 2022388492915Another hat-trick of assists for Lionel Messi 🐐 https://t.co/rSL7IfFgy9Mbappe's partnership with Lionel Messi and Neymar could result in the Frenchman extending his contract with PSGReal Madrid v Paris Saint-Germain: Round Of Sixteen Leg Two - UEFA Champions LeagueKylian Mbappe's future has been one of the most talked about topics in the world of football in recent months. The 23-year-old's contract with PSG is set to expire at the end of the season, and he has so far rejected the chance to extend his deal with the club.According to Marca, the Frenchman has his heart set on a move to Real Madrid this summer. The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner could, however, reconsider his future due to the impressive partnership he has formed with Lionel Messi and Neymar in recent weeks.The trio struggled to form a relationship during the first half of the season, but seem to be thriving together at the moment. Mbappe could therefore opt to extend his deal with PSG in order to stay at the French capital and play alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar.