Lionel Messi given a hero's welcome by jubilant Paris Saint-Germain fans

‘It has been truly incredible!’: Lionel Messi given a hero’s welcome by jubilant Paris Saint-Germain fans at the Parc des Princes ahead of French giants first home game of the season against Strasbourg

  • Lionel Messi was unveiled as part of a pre-match presentation at PSG
  • The Argentine was greeted by a raucous crowd excited at seeing their new star
  • Presentation also featured new signings including old LaLiga rival Sergio Ramos
  • Messi though was unavailable to feature in the clash against Strasbourg
  • Former Barcelona star is still not match fit and watched game from stands 


Lionel Messi was given a huge ovation by the Paris Saint-Germain supporters after he was unveiled at the Parc des Princes on Saturday evening before his new side’s first home game of the season against Strasbourg.

Messi will line for the French side this term having completed a stunning free transfer from Barcelona over the summer on a two-year-deal.

The Argentine however was not included in the squad for the match which is Mauricio Pochettino’s first Ligue 1 game of the season on home soil.

Lionel Messi takes the applause from Paris Saint-Germain fans at his pre-match unveiling

Lionel Messi takes the applause from Paris Saint-Germain fans at his pre-match unveiling

Messi (right) was unveiled to supporters before kick-off  along with fellow new signings (from left) Achraf Hakimi, Georginio Wijnaldum, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Sergio Ramos

Messi (right) was unveiled to supporters before kick-off  along with fellow new signings (from left) Achraf Hakimi, Georginio Wijnaldum, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Sergio Ramos

Ahead of the clash with Strasbourg, Messi struggled to hear a pre-match host on the pitch as the PSG supporters led chants for him inside the Parc des Princes

Ahead of the clash with Strasbourg, Messi struggled to hear a pre-match host on the pitch as the PSG supporters led chants for him inside the Parc des Princes

Messi took to the field pre-match along with fellow new recruits Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi and Georginio Wijnaldum, with all of them wearing ‘We are Paris’ t-shirts.

After walking out to a raucous crowd and taking in the amount of adulation from the supporters, he addressed the home fans who unveiled banners welcoming the former Barcelona star.

‘It has been a very special week for me,’ he said. ‘I want to thank everyone for the reception since I arrived in Paris. It has been truly incredible. I feel very happy and excited.

‘I hope together we can enjoy this year and make it a great year for us. I am very excited about everything.’ 

Messi teased supporters before his unveiling with a thumbs up behind a tunnel curtain

Messi teased supporters before his unveiling with a thumbs up behind a tunnel curtain

The former Barcelona star then made his way out onto the pitch to huge cheers from fans

The former Barcelona star then made his way out onto the pitch to huge cheers from fans

The Argentine arrives at the Parc des Princes following a stunning free transfer from Barcelona

The Argentine arrives at the Parc des Princes following a stunning free transfer from Barcelona

As expected, Messi was not named in the match squad after coach Mauricio Pochettino said this week that the 34-year-old is not yet fully fit.

Italy goalkeeper Donnarumma and veteran defender Ramos were also not included. Hakimi and Wijnaldum were selected to start.

Pochettino said in his press conference: ‘As for when we might see Leo Messi, it is his second day of training after a month since he played the last game at the Copa America.

‘We will take it step by step, get to know each other and have him feel fit and comfortable so that he is able to make his debut when he is fully fit.’ 

Supporters led jubilant chants for Messi as they welcomed him to the French captial

Supporters led jubilant chants for Messi as they welcomed him to the French captial

Ramos greets his new PSG team-mate Messi with an arm around the shoulder pre-match

Ramos greets his new PSG team-mate Messi with an arm around the shoulder pre-match

Messi then thanked supporters for the welcomes he had received following his transfer

Messi then thanked supporters for the welcomes he had received following his transfer

Messi trained with his PSG team-mates throughout the week as they prepared for their first home game of the season.

However, the 34-year-old has not played a competitive fixture since winning the Copa America, his first international trophy with Argentina, in July.

Therefore, Pochettino did not risk introducing Messi into the squad too soon as he will want to avoid any unwanted injuries.

So, for that reason Messi will sit patiently on the sidelines as he wait his turn to make his debut for the French side who will be desperate to win French top flight this term having been stunned by Lille last season.

Messi joined PSG this week on a two-year contract with the option of extending it by another year after Barcelona said they could not afford to keep him because of LaLiga’s financial fair play rules.

source: dailymail.co.uk