It won’t exactly come as a surprise given he’s a six-time Ballon d’Or winner, but Lionel Messi has left his new PSG teammates stunned in his early training sessions.
After completing a stunning switch on a free transfer, Messi took part in his first training session last week and is building up his fitness ahead of an eagerly anticipated debut in French football.
Messi hasn’t had a proper pre-season due to an extended holiday following Argentina’s Copa America triumph but that hasn’t stopped him from making a huge impression.
L’Equipe have published a detailed report on Messi’s first week as a PSG player and it’s said the 34-year-old has left the “whole squad, young and old” in awe of what he can do with a ball at his feet.
There had been some talk of Kylian Mbappe being concerned about Messi’s arrival but the 22-year-old already looks to have formed a special understanding with the Barcelona legend.
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| Image: PA |
They’ve linked up sublimely in a 3 vs 3 drill and look ready to cause some serious damage to Ligue One defences in the coming weeks and months.
Messi and Mbappe linking up in training đź‘Ś
(🎥 @PSG_English)pic.twitter.com/TJDDDr0z3V
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 17, 2021
Lionel Messi with a backheel assist to Kylian Mbappe during a PSG training session. Something I never thought I would tweet. pic.twitter.com/9sUuDrdbiz
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) August 17, 2021
Mbappe, who has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, reportedly told friends, “Guys, it’s Messi!” when talking about playing alongside arguably the best player in the world and been “blown away” by just how good he is up close and personal.
Another unnamed player told L’Equipe “everything seems simple” for Messi, which would be the perfect summary of his innate ability.
Interestingly, Messi has been pretty quiet and done his talking with the ball as he often does – primarily speaking with Neymar, Leonardo Paredes and Angel Di Maria – players he already knows.
He hasn’t yet started learning French but there is already a completely different atmosphere in the changing room following Messi’s arrival.
From his very first day at Camp des Loges, Messi showed his elite mentality.
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| Image: PA |
Although team training didn’t start until 11am, Messi turned up to the facilities a 9:15am – nearly two hours early – such was his eagerness to get going.
He was presented as a PSG player in front of the fans before the win over Strasbourg at the Parc des Princes last Saturday and looks set to play his first game for the club against Reims on 29 August.
Featured Image Credit: Images: PA