Lionel Messi displayed the type of mentality that has propelled him to greatness on his first day at Paris Saint-Germain training.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner was officially unveiled as a PSG player in front of the world’s media on Wednesday, a day after putting pen to paper on an initial two-year contract.
On Thursday, Messi linked up with his new teammates and trained for the first time since making the switch to France.
The Argentine was filmed taking part in some solo drills at the Camp des Loges training complex but he then joined in team training.
Lionel Messi 🇦🇷 in training for Paris Saint-Germain. #PSG pic.twitter.com/8rjGNsCTJu
— RouteOneFootball (@Route1futbol) August 12, 2021
Messi is training with his PSG teammates for the first time.
— MC (@CrewsMat19) August 12, 2021
But admirably, according to MARCA, Messi turned up to the facilities a 9:15am – nearly two hours early – such was his eagerness to get going.
PSG’s session didn’t begin until 11am and yet Messi could not have been keener if he tried. Even for the best player in the world, first impressions are everything and he spent time chatting to coaching staff and getting used to his new sur
roundings.
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| Image: PA |
The 34-year-old hasn’t had a proper pre-season under his belt after having an extended holiday following the Copa America triumph with Argentina at the start of last month.
“I’ve been out of action for around a month and I need to get physically ready. I hope to be ready as soon as possible, because I can’t wait to play,” Messi said in a press conference on Wednesday.
The Barcelona legend met his new teammate Kylian Mbappe, with the Frenchman posting pictures of the pair’s encounter on his social media.
Due to his lack of activity of late, Messi will not make his debut against Strasbourg this weekend and will instead be presented on the Parc des Princes pitch.
ESPN say Mauricio Pochettino is hopeful of him being ready to play at the very end of August – just before the international break in September.
It could be that Messi makes his PSG bow away at Reims on 29 August.