PARIS: Lionel Messi must wait for his Paris Saint-Germain but the Argentinian superstar was given a rousing reception by his new fans as he watched their 4-2 French league victory over Strasbourg.
Not so popular was Kylian Mbappe who has been linked with a summer move to Real Madrid. His name was whistled and jeered by some PSG fans when the team line-up was announced before the game.
Despite PSG renewing Neymar’s contract earlier this year and adding six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, Mbappe has yet to commit to a new contract in the French capital.
However he was one of PSG’s scorers, along with Mauro Icardi, Julian Draxler and Pablo Sarabia.
The World Cup winner remains on the same contract that he signed back in 2017, and earns less than half of Messi, 34, who was judged not yet match-fit by coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Visits to Brest next weekend and Reims on August 29 are possibilities for his PSG debut.
Champions Lille lost 4-0 at home to a Nice team now coached by ex-Lille boss Christophe Galtier.
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