PSG Coach Says Messi Unlikely To Play Against Strasbourg
The arrival of Lionel Messi at Paris St Germain has created much needed buzz at the Ligue 1 club, however, coach Mauricio Pochettino at a news conference said the 6-time Ballon d’Or winner is unlikely to play any part in Saturday’s home match against Strasbourg.
PSG surrendered the French league title to Lille last season and were eliminated in the Champions League semi-finals by Manchester City, despite boasting the likes of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Angel Di Maria in its squad.
Adding Messi to the team will have raised expectations among fans and the board. However, Pochettino struck a note of caution after 34-year-old Messi arrived from Barcelona.
“Our challenge now is to ensure all of these top players form a team capable of meeting all the challenges ahead of it,” said PSG coach Pochettino. “We want to make sure that this team becomes a strong unit.”
“As for when we might see Leo Messi in action, it is his second day of training after a month since he played the last game at the Copa America. We will take things step by step, get to know each other and have him feel fit and comfortable so that he is able to make his debut when he is fully fit.”
Messi, who won 10 La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles during a 17-year career at Barcelona, led Argentina to the Copa America title with a 1-0 win against hosts Brazil in the July 11 final.
Pochettino took over at PSG midway through last season in January and will be looking to lead the club to win its maiden UEFA Champions League title with the addition of the Argentine talisman.
Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.
