Ligue 1: Pochettino takes decision on Messi making debut


Paris Saint-Germain manager, Mauricio Pochettino, has confirmed Lionel Messi will not make his debut in their Ligue 1 game against Strasbourg on Saturday.

Messi has had only two training sessions since joining PSG as a free agent on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old will be presented along with the other summer signings to the fans at the Parc des Princes ahead of the fixture, but will not play.

Asked when Messi, who last played in a 1-0 victory over Brazil in the Copa America final on July 10, will make his debut, Pochettino said on Friday: “We have to take it one step at a time. The priority is that he feels well.

“A month ago, he played the Copa America final and he has to make his debut in the best conditions. But I’ve seen a very mature Messi, the player we all know. What I see is a Messi that is happy and with incredible energy.”