Lionel Messi aims to end year 'in best possible way' after frustrating start at PSG

Argentine forward focused on club duties after helping national team reach 2022 World Cup

Lionel Messi after Argentina's 0-0 draw against Brazil that secured their place in the 2022 World Cup finals. AP

Lionel Messi in action for Argentina against Brazil. EPA

Argentina's Lionel Messi leaves the field at the end of the match. AP

Argentina applaud at the end of their qualifying match against Brazil. AP

Brazil's Marquinhos and Argentina's Lionel Messi at the end of the game. AFP

Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi lifts Brazil's Raphinha from the ground after their controversial collision. AFP

Raphinha's mouth bleeds after the incident. AP

Argentina's Marcos Acuna battles for possession with Fred. EPA

Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni gestures. AP

Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul reacts. AP

Brazil's goalkeeper Alisson catches the ball. AFP

Lionel Messi has said he is focused on ending the year "in the best possible way" with Paris Saint-Germain following an injury-hit start to life in France and having helped Argentina reach the 2022 World Cup.

Messi missed PSG's last two games before the international break with a combination of knee and thigh issues and has yet to score in Ligue 1, where he has been limited to just five appearances.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner returned to action as a substitute in his country's 1-0 victory over Uruguay. He then started the 0-0 draw with Brazil that helped Argentina clinch qualification for Qatar.

"I'm doing well, otherwise I wouldn't have played," Messi told Argentina's TyC Sports network after the Brazil game. "It's not easy to play a match with as much rhythm as this one. I know that bit by bit I'm going to step it up. I hope to be able to finish the year well."

Messi could feature for PSG at home to Nantes on Saturday, unless manager Mauricio Pochettino decides to keep his compatriot fresh for the trip to Manchester City next week in the Champions League.

His first goal for PSG came in a 2-0 win over City in September, and a second victory over Pep Guardiola's team would likely earn them first place in the group.

Before that the league leaders host a Nantes side managed by former PSG defender and coach Antoine Kombouare, who masterminded a shock win last March at the Parc des Princes.

"It's time to change the focus because I still have a lot of desire to continue fighting to achieve the goals that we set here at PSG and I want to stay focused and working to achieve it," Messi wrote on Instagram after landing back in Paris on Wednesday.

"There is only a month and a half left until 2022 and I would like to finish this year in the best possible way and with more good moments that we can achieve in France."

Monaco host Lille on Friday in a meeting of two clubs who have failed to replicate their form from last season, while second-placed Lens go to Brest.

Nice visit Clermont on Sunday before the clash of the weekend between Lyon and Marseille.

The league's joint-top scorer with eight goals this term, Rennes forward Laborde faces a reunion with the club with whom he began the season as Montpellier travel to Roazhon Park on Saturday.

Laborde scored three times in four games for Montpellier before joining Rennes for 15 million euros ($17 million) just before the transfer deadline.

He hasn't slowed down since arriving in Brittany, bagging another five goals in Ligue 1 for his new side who have won seven of their last eight matches in all competitions.

Fixtures (all times UAE )

Friday

Monaco v Lille (midnight)

Saturday

Paris Saint-Germain v Nantes (8pm), Rennes v Montpellier (midnight)

Sunday

Brest v Lens (4pm), Angers v Lorient, Metz v Bordeaux, Strasbourg v Reims, Troyes v Saint-Etienne (all 6pm), Clermont v Nice (8pm), Lyon v Marseille (11.45pm)