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'I appreciate every moment of seeing him': PSG manager Cristophe Galtier showers praise on Lionel Messi

Speaking ahead of PSG's upcoming Ligue 1 game against Montpellier on Saturday, newly appointed head coach Christophe Galtier was full of praise for Lionel Messi and also highlighted how his presence in the squad is inspiring to the other players. He also expressed concerns about Kylian Mbappe's fitness.

TN Sports Desk

Updated Aug 12, 2022, 23:19 IST

Lionel Messi in action for PSG

Photo : AP

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

PSG won their opening Ligue 1 2022/23 match against Clermont Foot 5-0.
Lionel Messi scored the first bicycle kick goal of his career in the game.
PSG next take on Montpellier in the Ligue 1 this weekend.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) started off their Ligue 1 2022-23 campaign with a thumping 5-0 win over Clermont Foot. The highlight of the match obviously came from Lionel Messi. He scored two late goals for Parisian side. The biggest headline came from the fact that the Argentinian magician scored his first ever bicycle kick goal of his career.

Speaking ahead of PSG's upcoming game against Montpellier on Saturday, newly appointed head coach Cristophe Galtier was full of praise for Lionel Messi and also highlighted how his presence in the squad is inspiring to the other players.

"When you have such a record and you have played so many games, won so many trophies and been so decisive in your career, it's because you are a great professional. And he confirms it, since the 4th of July Leo has been doing all the training sessions, he is involved in all the sessions, he is smiling, he exchanges with his partners,” he said in the pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's game.

“He is also, I think, a source of example for our players and I appreciate every moment of seeing him on the field and saying hello to him every day because he obviously represents the example to follow in his investment. He has won everything,... he misses only the biggest trophy, the World Cup, but with his club he has won everything," Galtier added.

In the match against Clermont Foot, Neymar also scored two goals, and seemed to gel well with Lionel Messi. However, Kylian Mbappe missed the match due to injury and hence Galtier admits that the two veteran forwards are in better rhythm than the French young sensation.

"The three of them are used to playing together, they are very efficient. At the moment it's true that Ney and Leo, who have done the whole preparation, who also have played two 90 minutes games - the Champions Trophy and also in the Ligue 1, - they are a bit more in the rhythm,” he said.

However, he feels Mbappe will take no time to get back in the groove. “I have no fear that Kylian will be in the rhythm quickly, but we'll see how long he can play. They are used to it, I don't have any worries about that, they know each other perfectly, they know how to play for each other and obviously it's a big extra asset to have Kylian with us," the coach showed confidence in Mbappe despite his concerns," the manager concluded.

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