Reports in France have revealed the impact Lionel Messi has had in his first training sessions as a Paris Saint-Germain player – and team-mates “young and old” have been seriously impressed.
Messi signed for PSG last week after Barcelona announced that he would be leaving the Spanish giants.
His move brought to an end a total of 21 years spent at Barca, where he established himself as one of the world’s greatest ever footballers.
It is no surprise, then, that he has been impressing his new team-mates in training.
Major French outlet L’Equipe (via Get French Football News) have reported that the PSG squad are “in awe” of the Argentinian and his abilities with the ball at his feet.
It is said that Kylian Mbappe – the second most-expensive footballer of all-time – exclaimed: “Guys, it’s Messi!” during one training session.
One player also told the outlet that “everything seems simple for him”.
Finally, the report states that one source told them they believe this current PSG squad can match great sides of the past, such as Pep Guardiola‘s Barcelona.
Messi, of course, was an integral cog in the Barca side that stormed to 11 trophies in four seasons under the Spaniard.
Wait continues for Messi’s PSG debut
Fans eagerly awaiting Messi’s debut for the French giants will have to be patient for a little longer.
That’s because the 34-year-old was not named in the travelling squad to take on Brest in Ligue 1 tonight.
Sky Sports reported earlier in the week that Messi could make his PSG debut on August 29, when they travel to Reims.
PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino said on Messi’s fitness prior to their 4-2 win over Strasbourg on Saturday: “As for Leo; 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.”
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