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.

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.

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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.”

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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.

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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)



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