Twitter reacts as Lionel Messi makes PSG debut
The footballing world has been coming to terms with witnessing something they never really expected to witness: Lionel Messi playing for a club other than FC Barcelona.
Following his heartbreaking exit from the Camp Nou amid the financial turmoil the Catalan giants find themselves in and subsequent move to Paris Saint-Germain, the Argentine icon finally made his bow for the French side on Sunday night.
Lionel Messi makes his PSG debut! ??
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 29, 2021
History is made as the Argentine takes to the field for the first time in Ligue 1 ?? pic.twitter.com/WKBorEa4Sz
The venue? Stade de Reims' humble Stade Auguste Delaune.
Messi was introduced as a 66th-minute substitute for another superstar in Neymar, and took to the field to rapturous applause.
Needless to say, the Twittersphere was struggling to come to terms with seeing Messi in another club's shirt.
Messi making his first appearance as a PSG player.
— 90min (@90min_Football) August 29, 2021
???????. pic.twitter.com/eGFOKxAqdu
Messi is on for PSG.. I still can’t get used to it!
— Jules Breach (@julesbreach) August 29, 2021
? Thierry Henry: “When Messi came into the game, the entire crowd was chanting his name. The last time I saw something similar, it was with Iniesta.” pic.twitter.com/8G4RWqfGCv
— FCBarcelonaFl (@FCBarcelonaFl) August 29, 2021
That doesn't feel weird at all.
— Slasher Trash (@SlasherTrash) August 29, 2021
It was finally time for Messi's football to do the talking, and as you might expect he seemed to take to Ligue 1 like a duck to water, gliding around the pitch, dribbling, laying off passes and generally enjoying himself.
One moment in particular caught the eye, when a defender dribbled past him. Messi immediately chased back, nicked the ball off him, laid off a pass, got it back and drove forward once again - much to the delight of the travelling faithful.
Interestingly on the night it was another superstar - wantaway Kylian Mbappe - who stole the show with a match-winning brace, and some were quick to point out that because Neymar was withdrawn for Messi, we still may never see the Frenchman, Brazilian and Argentine line up alongside each other - if Mbappe forces a move away.
Imagine the whole world waiting to watch the front three of neymar mbappé and messi. Just for pochettino to ruin it! ??? pic.twitter.com/BkMKHFKRKv
— Alicia maina (@AliciaMaina) August 29, 2021
When you realize Messi was subbed on for Neymar and Mbappe might not be a PSG player next week…
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 29, 2021
…so we might never get to see Messi, Neymar and Mbappe together ? pic.twitter.com/f6U1SrHP7G
Others noted an immediate chemistry between Mbappe and his new teammate...
Mbappé has been looking for Messi every time he's touched the ball, similar to how he was with Benzema at the Euros. it's adorable how star-struck he gets.
— Muhammad Butt (@muhammadbutt) August 29, 2021
Neymar on the bench watching Messi and Mbappe link up ? pic.twitter.com/uDVo6jSQAt
— Jimmy Proton ? (@Drizx_) August 29, 2021
Enjoyed commentating Messi’s first steps in French football!! Surreal seeing him in another shirt. But the biggest take away from tonight? Mbappé is (still) PSG’s most important player. For 48 more hours at least https://t.co/sZlAPpGSHx
— Matt Spiro (@mattspiro) August 29, 2021
Overall, though, it was a nice, easy, incident-free debut for the 34-year-old - even without a goal.
There was even time for a very sweet moment after the full-time whistle, with Messi taking the time to pose for a photo with opposition goalkeeper Pedrag Rajkovic's son.
The Messi Effect ??
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 29, 2021
Reims goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic asked Leo to have a photo with his child after their Ligue 1 clash. pic.twitter.com/wj5farL6ml
A class act, all round.