Lionel Messi is expected to make his Paris Saint-Germain debut in the club’s Ligue 1 fixture away at Reims on August 29, according to Marca.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner signed on a two-year deal with PSG. Lionel Messi will receive a £25m signing-on fee as part of the move – with a third-year as an option. He will wear the No 30 shirt for PSG, which was the number he wore on his Barcelona debut in 2003.
The Argentine star began training with the team a couple of days back. He couldn’t join the pre-season camp with Barcelona or PSG. So, Messi is in the process of getting back up to speed in training as he is not entirely yet. Messi will play his first game since Argentina’s Copa America final win over Brazil.
PSG manager on Lionel Messi’s debut and match fitness
“Our challenge now is to ensure all of these top players form a team capable of meeting all the challenges ahead of it. We want to make sure that this team becomes a strong unit. As for when we might see Lionel Messi in action. It is his second day of training after a month since he played the last game at the Copa America. We will take things 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.”
PSG have started their season with a bang with two wins in two games. They defeated Troyes 2-1 in the opening game and then beat Strasbourg 4-2 at home.