It was an unremarkable stint off the bench for Messi, who kept it simple in his introduction to the French league. He did not attempt a dribble or shot attempt and was content to help the team see out a 2-0 result with simple passing — he connected on 95 percent of his passes.
The Ligue 1 match was his first appearance in the matchday squad after sitting out PSG’s last two Ligue 1 matches. Messi’s debut came 19 days after he signed with the club on Aug. 10. He required time to get himself into shape after last playing a competitive match with Argentina on July 10 in the Copa America.
Messi will next rejoin Argentina for three South American World Cup qualifiers in September. He’ll rejoin PSG for a Ligue 1 match on Sept. 12 against Clermont Foot, followed by the club’s opening UEFA Champions League match on the road to Club Brugge.
MORE: PSG’s season match schedule, TV & streaming
PSG squad vs. Stade de Reims
It was the first time that manager Mauricio Pochettino had a near full-strength squad at his disposal. Defender Sergio Ramos is still out with a calf injury and won’t be back until September.
Making room in the matchday squad for Messi, Neymar and Messi’s compatriot, midfielder Leandro Paredes , PSG dropped three players from the roster that faced Brest the previous week: defender El Chadaille Bitshiabu , midfielder Rafinha and Ismael Gharbi
Here’s the full 22-man squad that Pochettino assembled for the match against Stade de Reims:
Goalkeepers (3): Gigi Donnarumma, Keylor Navas, Denis Franchi Defenders (5): Achraf Hakimi, Presnel Kimpembe, Marquinhos, Abdou Diallo, Thilo Kehrer Midfielders (9): Nathan Bitumazala, Leandro Paredes, Danilo Pereira, Idrissa Gueye, Marco Verratti, Georginio Wijnaldum, Ander Herrera, Julian Draxler, Junior Dina Ebimbe Forwards (5): Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Neymar Jr. , Kylian Mbappe, Arnaud Kalimuendo
Messi presented to PSG fans
Although he wasn’t in the squad to play in his first Ligue 1 match as a PSG player against Strasboug on Aug. 14, Messi was presented to the home fans alongside the summer’s other new arrivals.
“It was a very special week for me,” he said when handed the mic. “I want to thank all the fans for the welcome when I arrived in Paris. It was incredible. I feel happy and I’m excited. I’m so happy to be here and happy for this new phase in my career that I’ll be experiencing. And I hope together we can enjoy this season and that it’s a great year for us. That’s what I’m feeling. I’m really excited by all this.”
Messi’s first matchday experience as a PSG player was spent alongside Neymar as they sat together in the PSG box to watch the victory over Strasbourg.
