• Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (2ndL), Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe (C) and Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar (R) chat on the pitch during a training session at The Jan Breydel Stadium in Bruges on September 14, 2021, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League Group A football match against Club Brugge. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP)
    Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (2ndL), Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe (C) and Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar (R) chat on the pitch during a training session at The Jan Breydel Stadium in Bruges on September 14, 2021, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League Group A football match against Club Brugge. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP)
  • Lionel Messi with teammates during training for PSG's Champions League match at Jan Breydel Stadium in Bruges on Tuesday. Reuters
    Lionel Messi with teammates during training for PSG's Champions League match at Jan Breydel Stadium in Bruges on Tuesday. Reuters
  • Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar during a training session at the Jan Breydel Stadium in Bruges. AFP
    Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar during a training session at the Jan Breydel Stadium in Bruges. AFP
  • PSG players train for their Champions League match in Bruges. Reuters
    PSG players train for their Champions League match in Bruges. Reuters
  • Lionel Messi with teammates during training. Reuters
    Lionel Messi with teammates during training. Reuters
  • PSG's Neymar and Lionel Messi during training. Reuters
    PSG's Neymar and Lionel Messi during training. Reuters
  • Lionel Messi and Neymar. Reuters
    Lionel Messi and Neymar. Reuters
  • PSG's Lionel Messi, second left, controls the ball during training. AP
    PSG's Lionel Messi, second left, controls the ball during training. AP
  • Kylian Mbappe , Lionel Messi and Mauro Icardi during training. AFP
    Kylian Mbappe , Lionel Messi and Mauro Icardi during training. AFP
  • Lionel Messi during training. AP
    Lionel Messi during training. AP
  • PSG's Lionel Messi at the Jan Breydel Stadium. AP
    PSG's Lionel Messi at the Jan Breydel Stadium. AP
  • PSG's Lionel Messi during training. AP
    PSG's Lionel Messi during training. AP
  • PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma makes a save with Keylor Navas and Sergio Rico in the background. AFP
    PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma makes a save with Keylor Navas and Sergio Rico in the background. AFP
  • PSG attacker Lionel Messi. EPA
    PSG attacker Lionel Messi. EPA
  • PSG's Lionel Messi training with teammates. AFP
    PSG's Lionel Messi training with teammates. AFP
  • Lionel Messi with Kylian Mbappe. EPA
    Lionel Messi with Kylian Mbappe. EPA
  • Lionel Messi alongside Neymar. EPA
    Lionel Messi alongside Neymar. EPA
  • PSG's Lionel Messi with Neymar kicking the ball in the background. AFP
    PSG's Lionel Messi with Neymar kicking the ball in the background. AFP
  • Lionel Messi tries to win the ball back from teammates. AFP
    Lionel Messi tries to win the ball back from teammates. AFP
  • PSGn goalkeeper Keylor Navas. AFP
    PSGn goalkeeper Keylor Navas. AFP
  • PSG's Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Mauro Icardi. AFP
    PSG's Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Mauro Icardi. AFP

Messi, Mbappe and Neymar train for Champions League opener - in pictures


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Lionel Messi was the centre of attention as Paris Saint-Germain prepared for the start of their Champions League campaign against Club Brugges.

Messi has been at the club for more than a month but has yet to make his full debut. The Argentine, 34, was expected to do so last weekend but was rested against Clermont after returning from international duty with Argentina.

However, PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino is almost certain to unleash the six-time Ballon d'Or winner from the start at the Jan Breydel Stadium in Bruges on Wednesday.

And if Kylian Mbappe and Neymar also start, it will be the first instance of the superstar attacking trio together on the pitch for the Parisians.

However, Pochettino said he had not decided yet whether Mbappe, Neymar and Messi would all play at the Jan Breydel stadium, explaining he would make a late decision.

Pochettino said his team has some other challenges to overcome.

"We're not a team yet. We are a club that has recruited many players this summer. There are some big names but we have to turn into a team," Pochettino said.

"We are a group of players who need to achieve results. There's a feeling that we're [PSG and Chelsea] the two teams to beat but Chelsea are the holders so they're the team to beat especially after strengthening their squad."

Updated: September 15, 2021, 2:56 AM