Messi debuts for PSG but Mbappe steals the show

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

It’s official.

Lionel Messi donned the blue uniform of the Paris St. Germain (PSG) football team after coming off as a replacement for Neymar Jr. in the 66th minute of their match against Stade de Reims.

Soon as the Argentinian legend entered the playing pitch, the whole arena of the Auguste Delaune stadium with a sell-out crowd of 20,545 began chanting his name.

Despite not scoring a single point in the match, it was a mark of the new PSG era as Messi’s official debut streamed tons of expectations for the club’s hopefuls.

Kylian Mbappe shone for the PSG team after scoring all two goals against the defense-oriented Stade de Reims squad.

The French superstar led the reset for PSG after a shaky start as he fired his first score during the 15^th-minute mark of the match.

Mbappe’s onslaught continued as he scored another goal after teammate Achraf Hakimi placed a wonderful through-ball pass to the left.

The huge win gave PSG the solo lead in the Ligue 1 standings with 12 points followed by the Angers with 10 and Clermont Foot with 8.

“It was important that he (Messi) started with a win. He brings serenity to the team. His energy and his optimism trickle down on the rest of the team,” said PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino.