Lionel Messi fires in first goal for PSG

Paris: Lionel Messi’s superb first goal for Paris Saint-Germain was well worth the wait and delivered a timely reminder of the electric skill that has helped him win a record six Ballon d’Or trophies. It also punished his former coach Pep Guardiola’s team as PSG beat Manchester City 2-0 in the Champions League group stage […]

Paris: Lionel Messi’s superb first goal for Paris Saint-Germain was well worth the wait and delivered a timely reminder of the electric skill that has helped him win a record six Ballon d’Or trophies.

It also punished his former coach Pep Guardiola’s team as PSG beat Manchester City 2-0 in the Champions League group stage on Tuesday.

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Messi charged from midfield toward the penalty area in the 74th minute, opening up more space as Achraf Hakimi made a dummy run to his right, and received a clever flick from Kylian Mbappe before curling a fine strike into the top right corner with the most famed left foot in world soccer. The ecstatic crowd rose to their feet.

“I’m very happy to have scored. I’ve not been playing much recently and I’m adapting to my teammates little by little,” Messi said through a translator.
“The more we play together the better it will become. We need to grow together and increase our level.”

Messi netted an astounding 672 goals for Barcelona but it was his first for PSG in three starts and four games overall since a shock summer move from the Spanish club.
“The goal was fantastic,” Guardiola said.

It was the kind he scored for fun playing under Guardiola at Barcelona. The pair won the Champions League in 2009 and 2011, with Messi scoring in both finals.

City had not lost its five previous meetings with PSG, winning 2-1 in Paris and 2-0 at home in last season’s semifinals before losing to Chelsea in the final.

PSG top Group A on goal difference and is level with Club Brugge with four points, while City is third with three points. Club Brugge won 2-1 at last-place Leipzig.

City is at Brugge, and 2020 Champions League runner-up PSG hosts Leipzig on Oct. 19.

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