Ligue 1: Lionel Messi refuses to swap jerseys with Mitchell Van Bergen in his debut match against Reims- Lionel Messi made his much-anticipated Ligue 1 debut for Paris St Germain on Sunday but it was Kylian Mbappe who shone as the capital club maintained their perfect start to the season with a 2-0 victory at Stade de Reims. Mbappe gave PSG a taste of what they would be missing if he left for Real Madrid, who have made bids to recruit the France striker since Messi joined on a two-year deal from Barcelona.
The Argentine star has long had a ‘no shirt swap‘ rule and he appears to have taken it to France with him.
Ligue 1: Lionel Messi refuses to swap jerseys with Mitchell Van Bergen in his debut match against Reims
A quick selfie, a banner signing and bumping into Thierry Henry! 🤷♂️
A surreal ending for Leo Messi in his first game for PSG! #beINLigue1 #SDRPSG
Watch Now – https://t.co/hkoevnV6B4 pic.twitter.com/9WvAvcMpgJ
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) August 29, 2021
Messi has been reluctant to swap jerseys in the past and explained his stance earlier this year.
He told Argentine TV: “I don’t ask for shirts, I usually swap them, but I asked [Zinedine] Zidane once. If there is an Argentine I swap it with him, but, unless someone asks me, I’m not asking anyone.”
Messi PSG Debut: Argentine poses for a heartwarming moment with Reims goalkeeper’s son after PSG debut
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner stole the show despite Kylian Mbappe scoring twice at the Stade Auguste-Delaune II in Reims. After his introduction into Ligue 1, Messi was seen posing for an adorable picture with Reims goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic’s son. The 34-year-old cradled the baby boy in his arms after the match showing his caring side while the Reims goalkeeper stood on the other side of the camera capturing the moment.
Messi PSG Debut: Messi’s life in France did not start the way fans would have hoped as the 34-year-old failed to find the back of the net in his first outing for PSG since joining them from FC Barcelona. PSG supporters were hoping to see the former FC Barcelona star make his debut by starting against Reims. However, Mauricio Pochettino decided to get bring him on, off the bench instead.
