MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 16:35:16| >> :120:5740:5740:

Mauricio Pochettino vows not to rush Lionel Messi into PSG debut

Mauricio Pochettino vows not to rush Lionel Messi into PSG debut
© Reuters
Mauricio Pochettino favours a 'step by step' approach to building up the Argentine's fitness.

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.

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.

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.

ID:459264:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect2873:
Written by
P A

Click here for more stories about Lionel Messi

Click here for more stories about Paris Saint-Germain

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Todd Cantwell celebrates scoring for Norwich City on March 4, 2020
Read Next:
Team News: Todd Cantwell available for Norwich's clash with Liverpool
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG15114040122837
2Marseille1593332181430
3MonacoMonaco1593324121230
4Lille1576225151027
5Lyon157442720725
6Nice156632819924
7Lens156631914524
8Auxerre156362323021
9Toulouse156361717021
10Reims155552018220
11Brest156182427-319
12Rennes155282020017
13StrasbourgStrasbourg154562527-217
14NantesNantes153571724-714
15Angers153481426-1213
16Saint-EtienneSt Etienne1541101234-2213
17Le HavreLe Havre1540111129-1812
18Montpellier HSCMontpellier1523101538-239


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!