The Argentine star entered the 66th minute of the match at Auguste-Delaune this Sunday in Ligue 1. There was a double by Frenchman Mbappé.
AFP
The star signing of Paris Saint-Germain, the Argentine Lionel Messi, made his long-awaited premiere in his new colors this Sunday in Reims, on the fourth day of the French Ligue 1, where he came into play in the 66th minute to replace Brazilian Neymar.
Applauded by the audience at the Auguste Delaune stadium, the star of the six Ballon d’Ors entered the game three minutes after his team’s second goal (2-0, minute 63), achieved by Kylian Mbappé, who also opened the account.
Messi’s first game with PSG comes almost three weeks after his arrival at the French club from FC Barcelona. His last match was the final of the Copa América that Argentina beat Brazil on July 11.
After this meeting in Reims, the French championship takes a break for international matches and Messi is expected to play with Argentina in the next qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup, which the Albiceleste will play against Venezuela, Brazil and Bolivia.
Parisian triumph, with a double from Mbappé
PSG, leaders with full victories, won 2-0 in Reims thanks to a double by Kylian Mbappé (minutes 16 and 63).
With a full 12 points, Paris clearly dominates the start of the season in France and now their concern is whether they can continue to enjoy Messi, Neymar and Mbappé in the squad.
The doubt is in Mbappé, the scorer of this Sunday. Before the market closes on Tuesday, Real Madrid is trying to sign him and has made an offer of 180 million euros, for now without an affirmative answer from PSG.
In his goals this day, Mbappé scored first with a header, in the 16th, to the center of Argentine Ángel Di María. Then he did it in ’63, well served by Achraf Hakimi, one of PSG’s new signings for the new season.
But if a moment was awaited by the public in Reims and by television viewers from all over the world, it was the entrance to the pitch of Messi, who came out to warm up in 58 and entered the game in 66.
He played a half hour of game (25 minutes of regulation time and 6 of additional time).
Mbappé had already decided the match and Messi could not decorate his debut with a goal. You will have to wait for it, since now comes the break for the national team matches.
PSG’s next appointment will be on September 11 against Clermont and there Messi would debut in his new home, the Parque de los Príncipes, although after the long trip to South America for Argentina’s next matches in the World Cup qualifying rounds.
The reception there, with the Parisian fans surrendered to their new idol, will surely be spectacular. (D)