Bappe brace ghts up Messi’s ebut for Paris
The Lionel Messi era has n at Paris Saint-germain, out a goal for the Argentine rstar but plenty of adulation fanfare. Messi made his t for PSG on Sunday after ing off the bench midway ugh the second half in a 2-0 at Reims in the French ue. Messi replaced his friend ormer Barcelona teammate mar in the 66th minute and shared a hug. ter years of glory for Messi he 99,000-capacity Camp stadium in Barcelona, the rd six-time Ballon d’or winand four-time Champions ue victor made his first PSG earance at the modest 00-seater Stade Auguste une. ch is Messi’s star factor that ome fans chanted “Messi, si” while a smiling Reims keeper Predrag Rajkovic a photo of Messi holding a after the game.
G coach Mauricio Pochetwas touched by the recepfor Messi, pointing out that orters of both teams were hted to see him play. “The ome he got was something tiful to see and hear, on the of our fans but also the s fans,” Pochettino said. ssi was very happy about it. presence generates more usiasm, everyone can feel it it has an effect on the other ers.” fore the match, hundreds of gathered for a glimpse of si as he descended the team and he waved back at them. control, grace, vision, dancing feet, astute passing, speed of thought and execution have thrilled fans for years. He netted 672 goals for Barca and won 35 trophies for the Spanish giant, including the 2015 Champions League alongside Neymar.
That was the last time Messi won Europe’s elite trophy and, somewhat ironically, his last goal for Barca in the Champions League was a brilliant strike away to PSG last season in the round of 16.
The 34-year-old Messi, who led his nation to the Copa America title last month, joined PSG three weeks ago after his new contract with Barcelona fell through. Striker Kylian Mbappe was named in the starting lineup as Real Madrid tries to sign him before the end of the summer transfer window.
Mbappe had already scored both goals before Messi came on. He headed in Angel Di Maria’s cross in the 15th minute and then turned in Achraf Hakimi’s cross in the 63rd for his 135th goal since joining PSG in 2017. “No, I wasn’t surprised by his enthusiasm,” said Pochettino, who did not comment on Mbappe’s immediate future.
In other matches, French champion Lille and Monaco finally won their first games of the season. Yusuf Yazici and Jonathan David scored as Lille beat Montpellier 2-1, and Sofiane Diop grabbed both goals as Monaco bounced back with a 2-1 win at Troyes.
Angers remains unbeaten and has 10 points after beating Rennes 2-0 at home.