Messi gets rapturous reception before watching PSG beat Strasbourg
Lionel Messi got a first proper taste of his new home on Saturday as he was presented to a full stadium of Paris Saint-Germain fans before watching his team-mates beat Strasbourg 4-2 in Ligue 1 with Kylian Mbappe playing a starring role.
Messi received a rapturous reception as he ran out onto the pitch along with PSG’s other summer signings, with a 48 000-full house greeting the six-time Ballon d’Or winner despite the welcome ceremony taking place an hour before kick-off.
Messi joined fellow recruits Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Georginio Wijnaldum and Achraf Hakimi on a stage set up on the turf at the Parc des Princes, and the flashy presentation ceremony threatened to overshadow the match itself.
The Argentine later watched from the stands alongside Neymar and Angel di Maria -- the trio not yet considered matchfit having enjoyed an extended break after playing at the Copa America -- as Mauricio Pochettino’s team made it two wins from two Ligue 1 matches this season.
Among the spectators here were Formula One driver Pierre Gasly, French former Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner and NBA star Evan Fournier.
All wanted to get a glimpse of Messi, but the Argentine is not likely to make his Paris debut for another couple of weeks yet.
While Messi is the new idol of the PSG support, those fans jeered when Mbappe’s name was read out by the stadium announcer ahead of kick off.
The France striker is in the spotlight with speculation that he will seek a move away from PSG before the transfer window shuts -- he has so far refused to extend his contract, which expires at the end of the campaign.
Mbappe played a key part in PSG’s victory, which looked a certainty from the moment Icardi headed in Abdou Diallo’s cross in the third minute.
The second goal arrived in the 25th minute when Mbappe’s shot went in via a cruel deflection off the face of Ajorque, and two minutes later it was Mbappe’s cross that was turned in at the back post by Draxler.
Nevertheless former PSG striker Gameiro pulled one back for Strasbourg with a welltaken header not long after half-time, and giant frontman Ajorque then scored with a header of his own to make it 3-2.
Mbappe had come close in between those goals and PSG were sweating before their opponents had defender Alexander Djiku sent off nine minutes from time when a foul on Icardi earned him a second booking.
PSG then secured a 4-2 win with four minutes left when Mbappe burst towards the byline and cut the ball back for substitute Sarabia to convert.