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Messi makes PSG debut off bench in Ligue 1 game at Reims
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Lionel Messi of PSG during the Ligue 1 match at Stade Auguste Delaune in Reims, France, August 29, 2021. /CFP

Lionel Messi of PSG during the Ligue 1 match at Stade Auguste Delaune in Reims, France, August 29, 2021. /CFP

Lionel Messi made his Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) debut on Sunday, coming off the bench in the second half of their Ligue 1 game against Reims.

The Argentine was introduced as a substitute in the 66th minute, replacing Neymar, with PSG leading 2-0 at the time thanks to a brace from Kylian Mbappe.

Lionel Messi (C) makes his debut for PSG during the Ligue 1 match between Reims and PSG at Stade Auguste Delaune in Reims, France, August 29, 2021. /CFP

Lionel Messi (C) makes his debut for PSG during the Ligue 1 match between Reims and PSG at Stade Auguste Delaune in Reims, France, August 29, 2021. /CFP

Messi's first appearance came almost three weeks after he joined PSG from Barcelona. His last game of any sort was the Copa America final between Argentina and Brazil on July 11.

The game at the 21,000-capacity Stade Auguste-Delaune was a sell-out, and excited fans in the home sections of the ground chanted Messi's name as he came out to warm up early in the second half.

Lionel Messi of PSG congratulates teammate Kylian Mbnappe after the Ligue 1 match at Stade Auguste Delaune in Reims, France, August 29, 2021. /CFP

Lionel Messi of PSG congratulates teammate Kylian Mbnappe after the Ligue 1 match at Stade Auguste Delaune in Reims, France, August 29, 2021. /CFP

After Sunday's match, Messi is due to head off on international duty with Argentina, who play three 2022 World Cup qualifiers in the next fortnight against Venezuela, Brazil and Bolivia.

Source(s): AFP

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