The furor in Paris is total. The Messimanía just starting and promises to continue throughout the stay of Lionel messi at Paris Saint-Germain, which will be for at least two seasons (with the option to stretch for one more). The merchandising with his image and his name will surely boost the numbers of the club that is owned by the royal family of Qatar, the host country of the next World Cup. Rosario fans from all over the world already want to have his shirt in their new team. However, this time the Rosario star will not use 10. What number will he have on his back?
A version tells, not yet confirmed by the protagonists, that his friend Neymar offered him to have the 10, the number that the Brazilian currently has in the Parisian squad. Messi would have been grateful, although he preferred to respect Ney. The PSG, then, gave him other options.
There were several alternatives. A chance that was quickly dismissed was to use a high number, that is, above 50. A quirky number, as some footballers often use, could be a good hook for sales, but the name Messi does not need any help to sell Tshirts.
Messi will wear PSG number 30, the same with which he debuted in Barcelona. Photo: AFP
It all came down to two possibilities: 19 and 30. They are two numbers that The flea it already had in its beginnings in Barcelona. However, the first is currently owned by the Spanish Pablo Sarabia, who already played on the first date of the French championship.
Messi thus chose the 30 jacket. It is a more than special number for him since with that number he made his debut for the Catalan club. It was on Saturday, October 16, 2004, when Dutch coach Frank Rijkaard sent him onto the pitch 37 minutes into the second half of the city classic against Espanyol, replacing Brazilian Deco.
Lionel Messi and the Paris Saint-Germain shirt 30.
Also with that shirt he made the first of the 672 goals that he screamed with the Blaugranas colors: on May 1, 2005, against Albacete, after an assist from Ronaldinho Gaúcho.
The 30th in French football is usually for goalkeepers. For example, Alexandre Letellier currently has it at Paris Saint-Germain, who is injured. It will not be a problem and you can give it to him.
It will be a start over for Lionel in every way. With a new club for the first time in his successful career, he returns to his roots and will have on his back that numbering that accompanied him in his first steps in the top flight so that the road in Paris is full of smiles, as in Barcelona.