Lionel Messi made his much-anticipated Ligue 1 debut for Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, but it was Kylian Mbappe who shone as the club maintained their perfect start to the season with a 2-0 victory at Stade de Reims.
Mbappe gave PSG a taste of what they would be missing if he left for Real Madrid, who have made bids to recruit the France striker since Messi joined on a two-year deal from Barcelona.
The win over Reims means PSG top the table with a maximum 12 points.
All 20,545 tickets were sold at the Auguste Delaune stadium to watch Messi, 34.
And the fans, who chanted the Argentina forward's name, were rewarded in the 66th minute when he replaced the disappointing Neymar.
Mbappe, 22, did not disappoint in a brilliant performance, seemingly unfazed by the transfer frenzy surrounding him.
Two days before the end of the window, he made the difference with his speed and sense of timing, opening the scoring with a header and rounding off with a clinical finish.
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Paris Saint-Germain stars Neymar (L), Kylian Mbappe (C) and new signing Lionel Messi take part in a training session in Saint-Germain en Laye, near Paris. EPA -
Paris Saint Germain's Kylian Mbappe (C), Lionel Messi (R) and Neymar at training session in Saint-Germain en Laye, near Paris. EPA -
Neymar (L) plays the ball next to Lionel Messi (C), Angel Di Maria (2nd R) and midfielder Marco Verratti (R) during a training sessio. AFP -
Neymar, Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Rafinha take part in a training session. AFP -
Lionel Messi and his new team-mates in training. AFP -
Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi. AFP -
Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar and Lionel Messi in action. AFP -
Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi. AFP -
Mbappe and Lionel Messi. AFP -
Kylian Mbappe and Messi. AFP -
Lionel Messi on the ball in training. AFP -
Messi takes part in a training session at the Camp des Loges. AFP -
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. AFP -
Kylian Mbappe (L), Lionel Messi (C) and Neymar. EPA -
Kylian Mbappe (C), Lionel Messi (R) and Neymar. EPA -
Paris St Germain's Lionel Messi during training. Reuters -
Lionel Messi (R) takes part in a training session at the Camp des Loges. AFP
After a stuttering start, PSG got into their groove and Mbappe put them in front after 15 minutes by heading home from Angel Di Maria's cross.
But PSG became too comfortable and Reims started to apply some pressure, with Moreto Cassama's superb strike hitting Keylor Navas's crossbar three minutes before the break.
Reims celebrated what they thought was a Marshall Munetsi equaliser five minutes into the second half, only for the Zimbabwean's effort to be ruled out for offside.
Messi started to warm up after 57 minutes, drawing applause from the Reims supporters, who he saluted.
They sang his name just when he was about to come on, shortly after Mbappe had doubled PSG's advantage from Achraf Hakimi's cross at the end of a sharp counter-attack.
Mbappe combined with Messi, but the former Barcelona striker was not in the same condition as the Frenchman, having not played a competitive game since winning the Copa America with Argentina on July 10.
"It was important that he started with a win," PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino said afterwards. "He brings serenity to the team. His energy and his optimism trickle down on the rest of the team."
Reims defender Andrew Gravillon crossed Messi's path before and after the game.
"He's impressive. Last year we were watching him play the Champions League, now it's a pleasure to have him in our league and it's also a pleasure to challenge him," Gravillon said.
"I went to see him to get his shirt for my little brother but he didn't give it to me. Maybe next time I'll get lucky."
