With inputs from Associated Press

After unveiling their four new signings in front of the 49,000 fans at Parc des Princes, Paris Saint-Germain trounced Strasbourg 4-2 in the Ligue 1. 

Before the kickoff, fans broke into “Leo Messi, Leo Messi” chants as the Argentine star joined the rest of the recruits — Achraf Hakimi, Georginio Wijnaldum, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Sergio Ramos. Although Messi was not in the actual squad for the game, which saw PSG coasting at 3-0 only to get pegged back to 3-2 until a late red card for Strasbourg eased the pressure.

PSG started the game strong as Mauro Icardi scored after three minutes. Soon after Kylian Mbappe found the net with a heavily deflected shot leading to an own-goal, and Mbappe’s deflected cross allowed Germany midfielder Julian Draxler to make it 3-0 in the 27th minute.

Former PSG forward Kevin Gameiro headed home for the visitors in the 53rd minute. Imposing striker Ludovic Ajorque’s even better header midway through the second half pulled it back to 3-2, drawing some whistles from the home crowd.

But after Strasbourg defender Alexander Djiku was sent off in the 82nd, Mbappe set up winger Pablo Sarabia from close range for PSG’s fourth goal.

Messi watched it all from the stands alongside his new and former teammate Neymar, who won the Champions League alongside Messi at Barcelona in 2015.

Ahead of the game, in a scene which few could have predicted even recently, former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos applauded Messi — his eternal Barcelona nemesis and the all-time record scorer in “Clasicos” between Barcelona and Madrid — as he joined him on the podium.

Messi joined the Parisian club on a two-year deal this week after his new deal with Barcelona sensationally collapsed and left him in tears as PSG moved quickly.