Lionel Messi scores for Paris Saint-Germain in first game since winning the World Cup

CNN
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Lionel Messi celebrated his return to Paris Saint-Germain with a goal in his first game since lifting the World Cup.

The 35-year-old only returned to training in the new year after taking time to celebrate and recover after Qatar 2022, where he finally won the trophy that had always eluded him in one of the greatest finals ever.

But the striker did not appear hungover as he returned to action with a close range goal in PSG’s 2-0 win against Angers on Wednesday.

Messi also paid tribute to Pelé before the match, joining his teammates by donning a shirt with the Brazilian’s face during the warm-up.

PSG sit comfortably at the top of the league despite Christophe Galtier having to change his team while facilitating the return of players after the World Cup.

Kylian Mbappé, the beaten finalist in Qatar, was rested for Wednesday’s match, allowing the likes of youngster Hugo Ekitiké some playing time.

The 20-year-old striker impressed when given the chance this season, opening the scoring with a sweeping finish in the first half.

Messi, who combined the attack with Neymar Jr., then doubled the lead in the 72nd minute after a well-timed run and a right-footed finish.

The linesman had initially called offside, but the call was overturned by the virtual assistant referee (VAR) and the goal was awarded.

The victory in Messi’s comeback is good news for PSG, who lost in the league for the first time this season last week, 3-1 to Lens.

“Yes, it was very important to win again. We have rivals who are putting a lot of pressure on us,” Galtier told PSGTV after the game.

“We knew we were going to have a difficult game because Angers is a team that plays good football and poses big problems at a tactical level.

I also insist that the situation -after the World Cup- means that we have had many absent players, that the group was very dispersed and that, little by little, everyone is coming back and meeting again”.

PSG, which has a six-point lead at the top of the table, plays Rennes in its next game on Sunday.