Messi Mania has started in earnest in France.
Almost three weeks after completing his move to Paris Saint-Germain, Messi finally made his Ligue 1 debut when he came on as a substitute to replace Neymar in the 66th minute of the team’s clash with Reims. Seeing Messi in PSG’s blue and red, with the number 30, still seems like a strange dream.
PSG managed an easy 2-0 win on a pair of Kylian Mbappé goals, both scored before Messi entered the game. It wasn’t the most exciting debut, but it was a good way to let Messi get into a game before the international break and before what should hopefully be his home debut on September 11 against Clermont.
For the other players on the field, however, playing against Messi was the experience of a lifetime. None of the Reims players could have expected before the season began that they would share the pitch with perhaps the greatest player in football history, let alone in his first game for his new club. It was the kind of day they will want to remember forever.
Goalkeeper Predrag Rajković’s son is too young to remember what he saw at Stade Auguste Delaune, but his father made sure he had proof that he was there. After the match, Rajković tracked down Messi and handed him his son to pose for a photo.
Rajković’s wife Ana posted the photo on Instagram.
That could be a sign of things to come for Messi’s tenure in France. It’s been a long time since Ligue 1, the sixth best European league, had a star close to its caliber. (Mbappé and Neymar are outstanding players, but they are not global icons on the same level as Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.) PSG’s road schedule will be a traveling circus with Messi as the main attraction. Rajković will not be the last to throw a baby into Messi’s arms, ask for an autograph or take a selfie. Nor should it be. Being able to share the field with a legend of Messi’s stature is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The best of you
Nebraska’s loss to Illinois was familiar to Scott Frost, who is running out of time to turn things around. … Manchester United fans are excited about the return of Cristiano Ronaldo, but it doesn’t make much sense on the field. … SWAC is in the limelight when college football season begins.
For the world of sports
ESPN broadcast a soccer game with a very shady online high school who apparently lied about how good their players were at getting on TV. … Bills catcher Isaiah McKenzie got his First dose of COVID-vaccine 19 days after being fined by the NFL for violating restrictions placed on unvaccinated players.. … English football team Wigan Athletic paid tribute to a fan’s dead duck during Saturday’s game. … Trent Dilfer, who is now training High school football in Nashville is in trouble after a video went viral of him shoving and berating one of his players..
The Mets’ ability to generate stupid scandals is unmatched
the Sunday night baseball transmission can be painful to watch
Messi in blue, still very rare
Cleveland scored the game-winning run because a Red Sox fielder obstructed the running back.
In fact, I think he’s telling the truth.
Scott Gutschewski, 44, got his PGA Tour card back after 10 years
A shocking sight for Bills fans
Peterman had his moment in the sun this preseason
No sports
A 43-year-old Michigan man Successfully sued his parents for dumping his pornography collection and received $ 30,000 in damages. … Surviving Queen members say wrote “Under Pressure” while drunk with David Bowie and forgot the iconic riff. … Scientists on expedition in Greenland he accidentally discovered the world’s northernmost island.
A good song
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Eddie is an Australian news reporter with over 9 years in the industry and has published on Forbes and tech crunch.