Messi set for first PSG appearance after World Cup triumph

Argentine superstar, Lionel Messi, is set to make his first appearance for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) since his World Cup triumph in a Ligue 1 clash at home against Angers on Wednesday.

Messi took part in training with his teammates on Tuesday, a little over three weeks after inspiring Argentina to victory over France on penalties in an epic World Cup final in Qatar.

The 35-year-old forward was granted a two-week holiday back in his home country following the tournament, before returning to Paris and being given a guard of honour at PSG’s training ground last Wednesday.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who scored 12 goals in 19 games this season for his club prior to the World Cup, did not take part in PSG’s win at third-tier side Chateauroux in the French Cup at the weekend.

But he could start on Wednesday as the Ligue 1 leaders play host to an Angers side who are bottom of the table and have lost their last nine league outings.

READ ALSO: FA Cup: Arsenal beat Oxford United 3-0, set up Man City clash

However, the Qatar-owned club are in talks to extend Messi’s contract with coach Christophe Galtier insisting the former Barcelona star is settled in the French capital.

“I know there are talks and that the club has spoken to Leo but I don’t know where they are at.

“Leo seems to me to be happy in Paris and I think there is a real desire on behalf of the club to extend Leo’s contract,” Galtier told reporters on Tuesday.

The coach, who said PSG’s football advisor, Luis Campos, was in discussions with Messi’s representatives along with President Nasser al-Khelaifi.

Kylian Mbappe, scorer of a hat-trick for France in the World Cup final, may again be rested for PSG’s midweek game after missing their French Cup victory as he took a holiday in New York along with teammate Achraf Hakimi.

Neymar has been getting treatment on the ankle injury he suffered playing for Brazil at the World Cup, while Italy midfielder Marco Verratti is out for a PSG side who suffered their first defeat of the season in their last league outing at Lens on New Year’s Day.

The Star

• Author
• Recent Posts

Segun Ojo

Latest posts by Segun Ojo (see all)

• Wike: Why NBA condemned emergency rule in Rivers - March 29, 2025
• Wike: I didn’t revoke PDP’s secretariat land to suppress opposition - March 29, 2025
• Police arrest 14 for killing 16 hunters in Edo - March 29, 2025