Lionel Messi will NOT be rushed into PSG debut against Strasbourg on Saturday and must go ‘step by step until fully fit’, insists Mauricio Pochettino
- Lionel Messi trained with PSG team-mates for the first time earlier this week
- He will not be rushed into the game against Strasbourg in Ligue 1 on Saturday
- Mauricio Pochettino said Argentine would make debut when fully fit
Paris St Germain will not rush Lionel Messi into action following his signing from Barcelona earlier this week.
The six-time world player of the year signed a two-year deal with the French side and many fans are eager to see him line up for Mauricio Pochettino’s team against Strasbourg in Ligue 1 on Saturday.
But Pochettino is in no hurry and he warned fans they may have to wait a little longer to see the Argentine in action.
Mauricio Pochettino says he will wait until Lionel Messi is fully fit before giving him his debut
The Argentine superstar has started working his way back to fitness after a break
Pochettino said in his press conference: ‘As for when we might see Leo Messi, it is his second day of training after a month since he played the last game at the Copa America.
‘We will take it step by step, get to know each other and have him feel fit and comfortable so that he is able to make his debut when he is fully fit.’
Messi trained with his PSG team-mates as they prepared for their first home game of the season.
But the 34-year-old has not played any football since winning the Copa America, his first international trophy with Argentina, in July.
PSG are preparing to take on Strasbourg in a game that will come too soon for the new man
Pochettino also said: ‘The priority is that he is ok, feels good and when he is in the best condition he can play.’
‘I want to have the best players like any coach. Everyone knows that Messi is one of the best in the world.’
The Parisian side will boast one of the best attacking front lines in world football with the prospect of Messi lining up alongside Kylian Mbappe and former team-mate Neymar.
