LIVE | Lionel Messi to make PSG debut at Reims TODAY – 29 August 2021
Argentina superstar Lionel Messi is set to make his Paris Saint-Germain debut on Sunday after being named in the squad to play at Reims.
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 29, 2021
A group of 22 players are in the squad for the trip to Reims
#SDRPSG pic.twitter.com/8PONgR8rH2
The six-time world player of the year signed a two-year deal with the French side earlier this month after ending a 21-year career at Spanish giants Barcelona.
READ | BENNI MCCARTHY QUESTIONS PERCY TAU’S AL AHLY MOVE
PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino said he would not rush Lionel Messi into action as the 34-year-old built up his fitness in the French capital.
Messi has not played since helping Argentina win the Copa America on July 11, but Pochettino said on Saturday at his pre-match press conference: “He is very motivated.
“He’s a great professional who is adapting very fast to his new team-mates and to a new context.”
READ | KAIZER CHIEFS PART WAYS WITH HEAD OF PLAYER RECRUITMENT
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe has also been named in PSG’s 22-man squad for the Reims trip despite being targeted by Real Madrid.
It has been reported that Real Madrid have bid €170 million – or more depending on what you read – for Mbappe who has scored 133 goals in 174 matches for PSG since joining from Monaco in 2017.
READ | DSTV PREMIERSHIP TITLE RACE A 3-TEAM BATTLE SAY ‘EXPERTS’
PSG have won all three of their Ligue 1 matches this season and sit atop the standings while Reims have drawn all three of their clashes to lie in 12th place.
Kick-off in the Reims v PSG match is at 20:45 SA time on Sunday.
Players to watch
Reims’ central midfield duo Marshall Munetsi and Moreto Cassamá have combined to score three goals in three Ligue 1 matches.
A scorer last time out, Ángel di María has never featured in a draw for PSG when scoring in Ligue 1 (W45, L2)
Hot stat
The team leading at half-time in the last seven competitive head-to-heads has gone on to win the match (Reims: W2, L5)
No comments: