SM
Ipswich vs. Man United: 9 hrs 58 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Key points from Lionel Messi's first public appearance as a PSG player

:Headline: Key points from Lionel Messi's first public appearance as a PSG player:
The 34-year-old was unveiled by the Ligue 1 runners-up on Wednesday morning.
Sports Mole

Lionel Messi has been unveiled as a Paris St Germain player after a whirlwind six days which started with his exit from Barcelona after a 21-year association with the club.

The Argentina international was presented to thousands of wildly excited fans outside the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, but his performance in front of the media was slightly more circumspect.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the highlights from his first public appearance as a PSG player.

A reunion with Neymar

Messi will be reunited with former Barcelona team-mate Neymar (Adam Davy/PA)

PSG's Brazil superstar Neymar left Barcelona in 2017 reportedly due to not wanting to play in Messi's shadow but was, apparently, one of the driving forces in persuading his fellow South American to move to the French capital. "Neymar, of course, did a lot and was important in my signing," Messi said.

Joining an all-star team

In addition to their established players, the Ligue 1 club have also signed Real Madrid veteran Sergio Ramos, Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Inter Milan's Achraf Hakimi. "It's madness to be able to work with such great players on a daily basis. PSG have made spectacular signings on top of the players that were already here," the former Barcelona forward enthused.

Fans may be made to wait

Fans may have to wait to see Messi in action (Rafael Yaghobzadeh/AP)

Messi's involvement in Argentina's success in winning the Copa America meant he returned to pre-season training later than many of his team-mates. The Ligue 1 campaign has already kicked off and PSG host Strasbourg on Saturday, but Messi's entry may be delayed. "I have been inactive for the last month so I basically have to do a pre-season by myself," he said.

Affinity with the manager

The Argentina factor played a part in Messi's move to PSG (Jonathan Brady/PA)

In Messi's final couple of years at Barcelona he did not always see eye to eye with his managers, but in Mauricio Pochettino – former boss of Barca's city rivals Espanyol – he has someone he trusts. "The fact we are both Argentinian helped," Messi said of the decision to move to Paris. "I've known him for a long time and we have always got on well. As soon as I heard the move was possible, I spoke to him right away."

Mbappe's future

Kylian Mbappe has been told he now has "no excuse" not to sign a new deal (Martin Rickett/PA)

A side issue to the Messi media extravaganza was what it meant for the club's prolific, young France striker Kylian Mbappe, coveted throughout Europe and in the final year of his contract. PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi basically laid down an ultimatum, saying: "He (Mbappe) wanted a competitive team and I think we have the most competitive in the world so there is no excuse for him now, he can't do anything else but stay."

Money matters

Al-Khelaifi, chairman of PSG's ownership group Qatari Sports Investments, defended the club's continued massive spending – estimated to be more than £1billion since they took over in 2011 – with Messi on a reported £570,000 a week. "We talk to financial and legal people, you see we sign Lionel Messi – that means we can sign him. Through it all we look at Financial Fair Play and always we will fulfil Financial Fair Play regulations," he said.

body check tags ::

amp_article__458978 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-08-11 15:36:13:
html db last update - 2021-08-11 15:36:13 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Lionel Messi

Share this article now:
MC
Read Next:
Man City 'scout Croatian teenager ahead of potential bid'
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Lionel Messi Neymar Kylian Mbappe Mauricio Pochettino Nasser Al-Khelaifi Nasser Al Khelaifi Georginio Wijnaldum Sergio Ramos Gianluigi Donnarumma Achraf Hakimi Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Man City 'scout Croatian teenager ahead of potential bid'
Title blow! Man City lose five in a row as four-goal Spurs dismantle the champions
"He's been unfairly judged" - Have the critics been too harsh on Arsenal's Merino?
Sunday's Turkish Super Lig predictions including Besiktas vs. Goztepe SK

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

European escape: National champions 'escalate' pursuit of Chelsea contract rebel

1

EE

'Not good enough': Man United chiefs have 'serious doubts' over summer arrival

2

'G

Sunday's La Liga predictions including Leganes vs. Real Madrid

NEW

3

SL

Flick stunned! Ten-man Barca pegged back by Celta late on in Vigo

4

FS

Team News: Ipswich vs. Man Utd injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

5

TN

Another Ruben reunion? Man United add 'fan favourite' to left-back shortlist

6

AR

Why Liverpool have a psychological edge over Manchester City in the title race

7

WL

How could a Liverpool coach help star seal shock 2025 transfer?

8

HC

Saturday's Eredivisie predictions including PSV vs. Groningen

9

SE

Saturday's La Liga predictions including Celta Vigo vs. Barcelona

10

SL


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .