PSG: Stade Reims could provide first look at Messi/Neymar/Mbappé
According to L'Equipe, Leo Messi will make his PSG debut agaist Stade Reims on Sunday, although the ex-Barcelona star is expected to come off the bench.
Leo Messi's long-awaited debut for PSG has been pencilled in for the away fixture at Stade Reims. According to L'Equipe, the former Barcelona captain will make his Ligue 1 bow at the Stade Auguste Delaune on Sunday. PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino's idea is to hand Messi a few minutes before he heads off for international duty with Argentina during the September FIFA break.
Messi has not yet played for his new club after completing a free transfer from Barça due to having a month off after Argentina's sucecssful Copa América campaign and is unlikely to start on Sunday against Reims. Pochettino has been gradually involving those who arrived back at the club later after holidays and Messi will almost certainly be named on the bench with his debut likely to come in the second half. Pochettino used the same formula with Messi's international teammate Ángel di María, who came on as a substitute against Brest on Friday and found the back of the net in a 4-2 win.
Neymar to feature against Stade Reims
It also seems likely that Neymar will feature for the first time this season after playing for Brazil at the Copa América, potentially giving PSG fans a first glimpse of their new frontline of the former Barcelona teammates and France star Kylian Mbappé.
Mauro Icardi picked up a shoulder injury against Brest and could be out for a few weeks, leaving Pochettino a little light up top heading into the international break. That could point to the former Spurs manager giving Messi, Neymar and Mbappé some time together on the pitch to give him something to chew over while domestic football is on hold.