Lionel Messi received a grand welcome from PSG fans despite being sidelined for the match against Strasbourg, where PSG won 4-2. He was introduced alongside other signings, receiving applause for his status as a celebrated player. Following a dramatic move from Barcelona to PSG, Messi’s presence highlighted the team’s aspirations as Nice outperformed Lille in the same league round.
Lionel Messi received a warm reception from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) supporters during the pre-game festivities ahead of their match against Strasbourg on Saturday. Despite not being fit enough to play, Messi was celebrated as fans enthusiastically chanted his name, reflecting his star power and the excitement surrounding his recent signing. PSG ultimately triumphed over Strasbourg with a 4-2 victory, showcasing the team’s potential future with Messi.
Before the match, PSG officially introduced Messi alongside other new signings to an audience of approximately 49,000 fans at Parc des Princes. Although Messi was still recovering from a holiday following his Copa America victory with Argentina and was absent from the match squad, his presence drew overwhelming support that overshadowed the other players introduced.
Among those presented with Messi were several notable players including Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Georginio Wijnaldum, and Achraf Hakimi, all of whom received positive reactions. However, the reception for Messi was unparalleled, reflecting his impressive accolades, such as four Champions League titles and six Ballon d’Or awards, making him a standout figure.
Messi’s recent transfer to PSG concluded a dramatic week, where his anticipated contract renewal with Barcelona fell through, resulting in an emotional farewell from the Catalan club. PSG quickly capitalized on the situation, securing Messi on a two-year contract. Meanwhile, Nice coach Christophe Galtier had a victorious return to Lille, leading his new team to a 4-0 win against his former club, intensifying their rivalry.
In the match against Lille, Nice’s scoring was initiated promptly with two goals within the first four minutes from Kasper Dolberg and Hichem Boudaoui. Despite Lille’s recent struggles, which included conceding seven goals in two matches with new goalkeeper Leo Jardim, Galtier’s current success marked a contrast to his previous title-winning season at Lille, who held tensions with him over his departure to Nice. Lille fans, hoping for a turnaround, were disappointed as Nice took an early lead and expanded their advantage over the course of the game.
Original Source: www.france24.com
