Reims 0-2 Paris Saint-Germain: Messi finally makes debut but Mbappe steals the show

Lionel Messi made his Paris Saint-Germain debut as a second-half substitute as Kylian Mbappe scored potentially his final goals for the club in a 2-0 victory at Reims on Sunday.

Messi was introduced in the 66th minute at the Stade Auguste Delaune, just after Real Madrid target Mbappe had doubled both his and PSG’s tally in the contest with a first-time finish.

The France striker, who had headed his team in front in the first half, helped PSG make it four straight wins at the start of a Ligue 1 campaign for the sixth time in their history as they bid to regain the title.

Mauricio Pochettino resisted the temptation to select Messi from the outset – meaning he joined fellow new recruit Gianluigi Donnarumma on the bench – but the wantaway Mbappe was part of a starting line-up that also included Neymar for the first time this season.

Reims were hospitable hosts for the visiting superstars, hardly surprising considering they had not won at their own ground in the league since January 24, a run of 10 games that set an unwanted club record in the top tier.

The home defence kindly allowed Mbappe plenty of space to nod PSG in front in the 16th minute, applying the finishing touch to Angel Di Maria's cross to get his second headed goal in as many outings.

Reims thought they had an equaliser early in the second half when Marshall Munetsi prodded in a loose ball after Keylor Navas had kept out a headed effort from El Bilal Toure, only for a lengthy VAR check to eventually rule the scorer offside.

At the other end, Mbappe did manage to stay onside to convert Achraf Hakimi's low delivery in the 63rd minute, quickly followed by Messi's arrival, on in place of Neymar.

Whether it is Mbappe’s last goal for the club remains unclear, amid strong links with a big-money move to Madrid before the transfer window closes.

 

What does it mean? Messi makes his entrance

Presented to the fans at the Parc des Princes prior to the 4-2 win over Strasbourg on August 14, Messi was not involved last time out as PSG beat Brest.

His long-awaited first appearance finally arrived in the Champagne region of France - and the former Barcelona forward fizzed during his brief time on the pitch, completing 19 out of 20 attempted passes for a 95 per cent completion rate.

Brilliant Mbappe at the double

Mbappe has told PSG he wants to leave, with the Santiago Bernabeu his preferred destination.

The question is whether that move is made prior to the deadline on Tuesday or, with his contract up at the end of the campaign, in 2022 instead.

There was certainly no lack of commitment from the 22-year-old in possibly his swansong appearance. He had five shots – no other player in the match had more than three – and has now been involved in six of PSG's past nine goals against Reims.

Hakimi shows his value again

Pochettino saw his team keep a first clean sheet in the league this term, albeit they needed the help of technology to wipe out a potential reply from Reims when the score was at 1-0.

Hakimi played his part with four tackles and an interception, but it is going forward where the signing from Inter really excelled. His cross for the second goal takes him to 10 assists since the start of the 2020-21 season - only Stuttgart's Borna Sosa (12) has delivered more among defenders in the top five European leagues in that time.

What's next?

PSG will hope their players return safely from international duty before they take on Clermont at home when Ligue 1 resumes. Reims, meanwhile, head on the road to take on Rennes.