Messi, Neymar and Mbappe admire work of Japanese manga artist Takahashi - in pictures

Takahashi, known for his work of 'Captain Tsubasa', drew an illustration on stage while members of the star-studded PSG squad looked on during a reception party in Tokyo

Paris Saint-Germain players including Lionel Messi, centre, attend a PSG reception event Tuesday, July 19, 2022, in Tokyo. AP Photo

Yoichi Takahashi, Japanese manga artist known for his work of ‘Captain Tsubasa’ draws an illustration while Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar Jr looks on during a reception party at a Tokyo hotel on July 19, 2022, as part of the team’s pre-season summer tour of Japan. AFP

Paris Saint-Germain players Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and others stand as an illustration (top) by Yoichi Takahashi, Japanese manga artist, is seen on-screen during a reception party at a Tokyo hotel. AFP

Kylian Mbappe, left, and Neymar Jr applaud. AFP

Yoichi Takahashi, Japanese manga artist known for his work of ‘Captain Tsubasa’, draws an illustration during a reception party for French football team Paris Saint-Germain at a Tokyo hotel. AFP

Yoichi Takahashi, Japanese manga artist, draws an illustration while Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe looks on. AFP

Yoichi Takahashi, Japanese manga artist known for his work of ‘Captain Tsubasa’, displays his illustration. AFP

Yoichi Takahashi stands before French football team Paris Saint-Germain players. AFP

Paris Saint-Germain players Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar Jr and others attend a reception party at a Tokyo hotel. AFP

Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar. AFP

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar applaud during a reception party at a Tokyo hotel. AFP

Paris Saint-Germain players Kylian Mbappe, left, and Neymar, participate in a PSG reception event in Japan. AP Photo

Paris Saint-Germain players look at a drawing by Yoichi Takahashi, right, author of a Japanese manga series "Captain Tsubasa". AP Photo

Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier walks on to the stage. AP Photo

Paris Saint-Germain players are escorted to stand at right spot. AP Photo

Paris Saint-Germain's Lionel Messi and other team members enter the stage. AP Photo

Steve Luckings

Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe got to review the skills of talented Japanese manga artists Yoichi Takahashi during an event to welcome the Paris Saint-Germain squad to Tokyo on Tuesday.

Takahashi, known for his work of Captain Tsubasa, drew an illustration on stage while members of the star-studded PSG squad looked on during a reception party as part of the team’s pre-season summer tour of Japan.

About 13,000 fans turned up at the Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium to watch the Ligue 1 champions in an open training session that lasted for 90 minutes on Monday.

Earlier on Monday, children in Tokyo had been treated to a coaching clinic by PSG players and new manager Christophe Galtier.

PSG play three games against J-League sides during their 10-day Japanese tour, starting with Kawasaki Frontale at Tokyo's Japan National Stadium on Tuesday.

The Parisians open their Ligue 1 title defence away to Clermont on August 6.

Paris Saint-Germain's Lionel Messi, left, and Neymar. AP Photo

Paris Saint-Germain players, Neymar, left, and Marquinhos, before a group photo taken during a PSG soccer lesson Monday, July 18, 2022, in Tokyo. AP Photo

Paris Saint-Germain's Lionel Messi, right, and Marquinhos, left, meet children during a PSG soccer lesson in Tokyo. Paris Saint-Germain are in Japan for their pre-season tour and will play three friendly matches against Japan's J1 League teams. AP Photo

Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar kicks a ball. AP Photo

Ramos, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar pose for a group photo. EPA

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. EPA

PSG players Neymar, Sergio Ramos and Kylian Mbappe in action. EPA

PSG players Neymar, Sergio Ramos and Kylian Mbappe greet kids during the PSG kids soccer clinic in Tokyo, Japan. EPA

Neymar in action. EPA

Paris Saint-Germain's Lionel Messi chats with new head coach Christophe Galtier. EPA

Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe high fives a child during the PSG kids soccer clinic in Tokyo, Japan. EPA

Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar in action. EPA

Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe, right, and Lionel Messi. EPA

Sergio Ramos talks with PSG head coach Christophe Galtier during the PSG kids soccer clinic in Tokyo, Japan. EPA

PSG defender Sergio Ramos. AFP

Paris Saint-Germain's Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Marquinhos enter the pitch. AFP

Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe chats with head coach Christophe Galtier. AFP

Lionel Messi answers a question while attending a soccer clinic at a stadium in Tokyo on July 18, 2022, as a part of PSG’s pre-season summer tour of Japan. AFP

Neymar answers a question. AFP

Paris Saint-Germain player Kylian Mbappe speaks during a soccer clinic at a stadium in Tokyo. AFP

PSG defender Sergio Ramos. Reuters

Paris Saint-Germain players Lionel Messi and Marquinhos high-five young participants while attending a soccer clinic at a stadium in Tokyo on July 18, 2022, as a part of the team’s pre-season summer tour of Japan. AFP

Paris Saint-Germain player Neymar passes a ball. AFP

Paris Saint-Germain's Sergio Ramos, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe play with the ball. AP Photo

Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar answers a question from a child. AP Photo

Updated: July 19, 2022, 6:33 AM