• Paris St Germain's Mauro Icardi celebrates scoring their second goal.
    Paris St Germain's Mauro Icardi celebrates scoring their second goal.
  • Keylor Navas of PSG and Presnel Kimpembe of PSG during the match between Troyes and Paris at Stade de l'Aube.
    Keylor Navas of PSG and Presnel Kimpembe of PSG during the match between Troyes and Paris at Stade de l'Aube.
  • Paris Saint-Germain's French defender Presnel Kimpembe holds his hands open as he recites a Muslim prayer prior to the start of the French L1 match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and ES Troyes.
    Paris Saint-Germain's French defender Presnel Kimpembe holds his hands open as he recites a Muslim prayer prior to the start of the French L1 match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and ES Troyes.
  • Georginio Wijnaldum of PSG during the Ligue 1 match between Troyes and Paris.
    Georginio Wijnaldum of PSG during the Ligue 1 match between Troyes and Paris.
  • Kylian Mbappe of PSG and Mauricio Pochettino of PSG.
    Kylian Mbappe of PSG and Mauricio Pochettino of PSG.
  • Presnel Kimpembe of PSG during the match between Troyes and Paris. Getty Images
    Presnel Kimpembe of PSG during the match between Troyes and Paris. Getty Images
  • Mauricio Pochettino of PSG during the Ligue 1 match between Troyes and Paris.
    Mauricio Pochettino of PSG during the Ligue 1 match between Troyes and Paris.
  • Kylian MBAPPE of PSG during the Ligue 1 football match between Troyes and Paris at Stade de l'Aube on August 7, 2021 in Troyes, France. (Photo by Matthieu Mirville / Icon Sport via Getty Images)
    Kylian MBAPPE of PSG during the Ligue 1 football match between Troyes and Paris at Stade de l'Aube on August 7, 2021 in Troyes, France. (Photo by Matthieu Mirville / Icon Sport via Getty Images)
  • Achraf Hakimi of PSG during the Ligue 1 match between Troyes and Paris.
    Achraf Hakimi of PSG during the Ligue 1 match between Troyes and Paris.
  • Fans wearing protective face mask watch the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and ES Troyes.
    Fans wearing protective face mask watch the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and ES Troyes.
  • Paris St Germain's Presnel Kimpembe acknowledges the fans with teammates after winning the match.
    Paris St Germain's Presnel Kimpembe acknowledges the fans with teammates after winning the match.

Sport

Football

PSG warm up for potential Messi arrival with winning start in Ligue 1

No Neymar but no problem for Mauricio Pochettino's side against Troyes

Ian Oxborrow
Ian Oxborrow

August 08, 2021

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It would surely be one of the greatest attacking trios of all time - Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar.

But Paris Saint-Germain were only able to call on one of those illustrious names as their Ligue 1 campaign kicked off with a 2-1 victory at Troyes.

Mbappe was present and played a part in what turned out to be the winning strike from Mauro Icardi after expensive new signing Achraf Hakimi equalised an early opener from Oualid El Hajjam.

Fellow new signing Georginio Wijnaldum also started, while Gianluigi Donnarumma and Sergio Ramos were not involved for PSG. Neymar had a busy summer after featuring for Brazil in the Copa America and has returned to training.

All eyes on Messi's Barcelona exit and news conference

PSG are in talks with Messi following his exit from Barcelona last week. He is set to give a news conference on Sunday at 11am BST.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta said the club had been forced to part ways with Messi because his high wages coupled with strict La Liga financial rules could jeopardise their future.

PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino unsurprisingly refused to be drawn on the Messi situation after his side's victory.

"His name is associated with different clubs, there are plenty of rumours," Pochettino told L'Equipe.

"We will see what happens in the coming days. The players have stayed focused. We did not start the game well and we gave away too many chances for my liking.

"But we have to give Troyes credit for making it difficult for us, they showed a lot of energy. We would have liked to win 5-0 but we'll take what we achieved."

He did however confirm on Friday that Messi was "an option that was being evaluated."

Messi, now 34, has been with the club since he signed a contract on a napkin at the age of 13.

  • A fan wearing a jersey of Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou after news that the star player will end his 20-year career with the club.
    A fan wearing a jersey of Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou after news that the star player will end his 20-year career with the club.
  • FC Barcelona's supporters gather in front of the entrance of the Camp Nou on Thursday.
    FC Barcelona's supporters gather in front of the entrance of the Camp Nou on Thursday.
  • Supporters gather in front of the Camp Nou after it was announced that Lionel Messi will end his 20-year career with Barcelona.
    Supporters gather in front of the Camp Nou after it was announced that Lionel Messi will end his 20-year career with Barcelona.
  • Supporters gather in front of the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on Thursday evening. Lionel Messi will end his 20-year career with Barcelona after the Argentine superstar failed to reach agreement on a new deal with the club.
    Supporters gather in front of the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on Thursday evening. Lionel Messi will end his 20-year career with Barcelona after the Argentine superstar failed to reach agreement on a new deal with the club.
  • Barcelona's supporters gather in front of the Camp Nou.
    Barcelona's supporters gather in front of the Camp Nou.
  • Members of the media outside Barcelona's offices.
    Members of the media outside Barcelona's offices.
  • Barcelona's supporters gather outside the team headquarters.
    Barcelona's supporters gather outside the team headquarters.
  • Supporters outside Barcelona's offices.
    Supporters outside Barcelona's offices.


Updated: August 08, 2021, 7:07 AM