Lionel Messi took part in his first training session as a Paris Saint-Germain player on Thursday afternoon, just two days after joining the club in one of the biggest deals in football history.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner, who will earn €25m per season at the Ligue 1 side after penning a two-year deal this week, was given a tour of the Ooredoo Centre ahead of a light training session.
In footage posted by the club’s official Twitter account, Messi can be seen meeting new teammates Sergio Ramos, Kylian Mbappe and Xavi Simons before heading to the field. You can see the clip below.
Premiers pas et premier entraînement au Centre Ooredoo ! ✔️ #PSGxMESSI pic.twitter.com/fPjMbjM7YA
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) August 12, 2021
In terms of the actual training session, Messi took part in numerous drills, including individual running and physical recovery exercises, as well as a rondo involving the likes of Angel Di Maria and Marquinhos.
✅ El primer día de #Messi
🏃 El argentino ya tuvo su primera práctica con el @PSG_inside con todo y rondo incluido ⚽
🎥 Vía IG: psg pic.twitter.com/7L3o5m4ECJ
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) August 12, 2021
Messi cannot wait to get started at his new club and has already expressed his excitement to share the field with former Barcelona teammate Neymar.
“[To play with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe] is really crazy and I am really happy about that,” said Messi in a press conference.
“Sharing the day-to-day life with them and the squad, the team is incredible and I really want to train and compete now because I am going to be playing with the best players.
“[Angel] Di Maria, [Leandro] Parades, I know all of the teammates in the dressing room, we had contact and Neymar of course did a lot and was important in my decision.
Messi,Neymar,Veratti,Mbappe, Paredes, Marquinos and Navas training together
This’s some parallel universe shit pic.twitter.com/FZ8Qf6uTBs
— Xabhi ✪ (@FCB_Lad) August 12, 2021
He continued: “I cannot forget what I lived and experienced in Barcelona, but I am excited about this new stage for my career and my family.
“As soon as I arrived here I was so happy, so motivated, so excited. It has happened so fast, but I am enjoying it so much.
“The squad and coaches here are capable of winning everything, which is my objective. I still want to win, as I wanted in the first moment of my career.”
Messi and Neymar training together again 🇦🇷🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/9Bosx2Ovec
— Galu (@PSGalu) August 12, 2021
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