Lionel Messi set to make PSG debut; Neymar, Mbappe named in squad

Argentine talisman Lionel Messi will be set to make his highly-awaited debut for Paris Saint Germain (PSG) as they take on Reims in Sunday’s Ligue 1 fixture. The six-time Ballon d’Or winner was named in PSG’s squad on Sunday morning. 

Mauricio Pochettino might play his golden trio – Messi, Neymar, Mbappe – against Reims as PSG look to go on top of the Ligue 1 points table. Messi and Neymar would be playing their first match together since 2017, when the latter left Barcelona. 

However, what could be Leo’s first game with the Ligue 1 club, could be the last for Kylian Mbappe as Spanish giants Real Madrid have been trying to sign him before the end of the summer transfer window.

On Saturday Pochettino said Messi was “very motivated” to play.

“He [Messi] is very motivated. He’s a great professional who is adapting very fast to his new team-mates and to a new context.”

Also read: La Liga 2021-22: Will Messi exit be the making or breaking of Barca?

Messi, after 21 years with Barcelona, left Nou Camp in at the start of August as a free agent. He signed a two-year deal with PSG and was presented to supporters, along with the club’s other summer signings Achraf Hakimi, Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Georginio Wijnaldum, at their first home game of the season, a 4-2 win over Strasbourg. 

The 34-year-old did not undergo a pre-season. He has  been training with Mauricio Pochettino’s squad to regain his fitness. 

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have submitted a second bid of €170m (£145.6m) plus €10m (£8.6m) in add-ons for Mbappe and given PSG a deadline of midnight on Sunday to respond.

PSG are looking to reclaim the Ligue 1 title after Lille won the French league last year. Pochettino and company have won all their matches, three, so far. 

The game against Reims kicks off at 12:15 AM IST at the Stade Auguste-Delaune II.