L’Équipe are reporting that Kylian Mbappé (24) and Lionel Messi (35) both returned to first-team training with Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
Both players featured during Saturday night’s Ligue 1 victory against OGC Nice (2-0). However, it was revealed by manager Christophe Galtier post-match that Mbappé was struggling with a minor niggle, and played the game not at full strength. The France captain was largely anonymous throughout the tie, and uncharacteristically missed a glaring chance at the death, although the flag was later raised for offside.
Messi was also involved in PSG’s victory over the weekend and scored the winner with a clipped finish. However, according to L’Équipe, he has been undergoing treatment in recent days. Both are now back in collective training, as shown on the club’s social media sites. Mbappé underwent treatment for a hip injury on Tuesday, but the hope at PSG will be to have both fit for Saturday’s match against RC Lens, currently Les Parisiens’ closest challenger in the French top flight.
Ronald Koeman drops a strong take on Lionel Messi’s PSG future amid Barcelona return rumors
Former Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has thrown his backing behind the club’s attempts to lure Lionel Messi back from Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi has been linked with a Barcelona return for some weeks after club vice-president Rafa Yuste admitted that the club are in talks with the player’s father and agent. Since that revelation, manager Xavi, a series of first-team players and club legends have spoken of their wish for Messi to wear the famous shirt again. Koeman, a former Barcelona player and manager, is the latest.
Koeman spoke to Marca on a potential Messi return, saying: “He is the best player in the world, anyone who can have him will be strong. I experienced his departure at first hand and it was a very bad day. When I see Leo in a different shirt, I still find it strange. I don’t know what the situation is or what Leo thinks. I’m in favour of Messi being a Barca player.”
The Dutch manager coached Messi for a year at Barcelona, winning the Copa del Rey with the Argentine as the centre piece of the squad. However, he saw Messi depart in 2021, and lasted less than six months in the job without his star.Messi will be a regular for PSG for the remainder of the season, and figures to be among the XI as the Parisians take on Lens this weekend in a potential title decider.
