Lionel Messi’s debut in the Paris Saint-Germain shirt will be a while yet. Le Parisien writes that the 34-year-old attacker will miss the matches against Strasbourg (next Saturday) and Stade Brest (next Friday) in any case and would only be part of the match selection for the away game against Stade Reims on August 29 at the earliest. Trainer Mauricio Pochettino says he will only call on Messi when the Argentinian is ‘top fit’.
“Today (Friday, ed.) He has only trained for the second time since the final of the Copa América. We want to take him step by step. Most importantly, he will start to feel better. If he is in top shape, he can make his debut,” said Pochettino on Friday at the press conference in the run-up to the game against Strasbourg. “Everyone has seen that Leo has received a great reception in recent days. He’s a special boy and we’re a staff that listens to his players, so we’re going to talk to him to see what he needs and when he’s ready.”
“I have always enjoyed him. Everyone knows the rivalry between Espanyol and Barcelona,” Pochettino points to his past with Espanyol, Barcelona’s fellow townsman. “But I’ve always loved him. We also have a common background at Newell’s Old Boys. Little by little we’re going to look at what kind of tactical system to use to get Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe to play together. There are several options that we are considering now.”
Pochettino was also asked whether the arrival of Messi could keep Mbappe at PSG. The attacker has a contract expiring in 2022 and is strongly linked to a move to Real Madrid. “I am the coach of PSG and I want to have the best players, like any coach. We have a very balanced team. The arrival of Messi has brought about something that everyone can feel. Mbappe is also one of the best players in the world and we have to make sure that all these talents want to play for the collective so that we can create something important. We have to make a team out of these top players.”
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