Lionel Messi was warmly received by PSG fans before their match against Strasbourg, despite not playing due to fitness issues. He recently joined PSG after a failed deal with Barcelona. The day also saw Nice, under coach Christophe Galtier, thrash Lille 4-0, showcasing the chaos and excitement of France’s Ligue 1 season.
Lionel Messi received a warm welcome from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) supporters as they chanted his name before a recent match against Strasbourg. Although Messi was not part of the squad due to fitness issues, he witnessed PSG securing a 4-2 victory. The event marked a memorable moment as Messi was introduced alongside other new players in front of around 49,000 fans at Parc des Princes.
Messi’s absence from the match was attributed to his recent return from a holiday after winning the Copa America with Argentina. Despite not playing, he was the center of attention, especially when former rival Sergio Ramos applauded him on stage. The crowd’s cheers for Messi eclipsed those for other new signings like Gianluigi Donnarumma, Georginio Wijnaldum, and Achraf Hakimi.
Joining PSG on a two-year contract only a week earlier, Messi’s transfer came after a failed deal with Barcelona, which left him emotional. Meanwhile, in a separate match earlier that day, PSG’s coach Christophe Galtier achieved a significant win against his former club, Lille, with Nice defeating them 4-0.
Lille struggled in the match against Nice, losing ground early on with quick goals from Kasper Dolberg and Hichem Boudaoui. Dolberg, returning from a strong Euro 2020 performance, scored in the first minute. Lille’s defense was shaky, leading to easy chances for Nice players, and they faced struggles under their new goalkeeper Leo Jardim.
The article highlights Lionel Messi’s impressive reception from PSG fans despite being sidelined from the match, emphasizing his significance to the team. Messi’s arrival at PSG marked a new chapter in his career after leaving Barcelona. Additionally, Christophe Galtier’s successful return to Lille with Nice demonstrated the competitive nature of Ligue 1 as teams adapt to new dynamics this season.
Original Source: www.france24.com
