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Lionel Messi received a wonderful reception at the Stade Auguste Delaune on his highly-anticipated Paris Saint-Germain debut against Reims.
The six-time Ballon d'Or winner, who signed a two-year deal at the Ligue 1 side earlier this month after leaving boyhood club Barcelona, was applauded by many of the 21,000 fans in attendance while warming up.
Minutes later, he replaced Neymar in the 65th minute and the buzz around the stadium was palpable. Is this the greatest substitution in football history? It could well be.
Lionel Messi makes his PSG debut! :large_blue_circle::red_circle:
History is made as the Argentine takes to the field for the first time in Ligue 1 :flag_fr: pic.twitter.com/WKBorEa4Sz
- Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 29, 2021
:camera_with_flash: The first step for Leo Messi in the :red_circle::large_blue_circle:#SDRPSG pic.twitter.com/tuMP7HPHIk
- Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 29, 2021
The Argentinian was unable to make the squad for recent fixtures against Strasbourg and Brest, and therefore sat in the stands with his fellow teammates. But fans finally got a glimpse of Messi on Sunday night.
PSG picked up a 2-0 win thanks to a brace from Kylian Mbappe in what could be his final game in a PSG shirt.
Here's how social media reacted to the debut of Messi.
Pochettino is a Grade A troll. Not allowing us to see Messi, Neymar, Mbappe on the field together. pic.twitter.com/qFgj4AqNr8
- Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) August 29, 2021
17 years apart
Same no. 30 Lionel Messi :goat: pic.twitter.com/pI1Bu9QNIj
- :flag_nl: (@FDJChief) August 29, 2021
Good news for Reims, Neymar is coming off. :arrow_down_small:
Bad news for Reims, Messi is coming on. :arrow_up_small:
PSG's squad is immense... pic.twitter.com/tttXZcB4GX
- PF ' Transfer News (@PurelyFootball) August 29, 2021
History is made as Lionel Messi takes to the field for the first time in Ligue 1.
:black_small_square:Imagine the scenes if he bags a debut goal.
:camera: @OmarAlt14 pic.twitter.com/7xHl1UU7nV
- LIGI Football :tm: (@LIGIFootball) August 29, 2021
Despite signing for the club this summer, Messi is expected not to end his career at PSG.
David Beckham has reportedly been 'in talks' with the forward about a move to Inter Miami and, according to The Daily Mirror, Messi snapped up six luxury penthouse apartments during his time in Miami a few weeks ago.
The newspaper added that the 36-year-old is preparing for life after Paris following Beckham's approach to sign him.
Featured Image Credit: BT Sport
Topics: Paris Saint-Germain, Football, Ligue 1, Lionel Messi