Pochettino reveals when Messi could make his PSG debut

The PSG manager gave an update on Lionel Messi’s return to fitness and when the six-time Ballon d’Or winner could make his debut.

Mauricio Pochettino hopes Lionel Messi can make his Paris Saint-Germain debut against Reims next Sunday on August 29.

The 34-year-old has made good progress in training since his arrival from Barcelona. He has had a full week of team training and could make his first PSG outing before the international break next month.

He was again absent on Friday as the Parisians overcame Brest 4-2 in a challenging Ligue 1 encounter.

“It’s been a very good week for Leo,” Pochettino told ESPN after the match. “Next week will be a long one, but if all goes well, we hope he can be in the squad and start at a competitive level [against Reims].”

Will he play for Argentina?

The international break begins next month and Argentina will surely want to recall Messi ahead of three 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela on September 3, Brazil two days later, and finally Bolivia on September 10.

The upcoming international fixtures could hand Messi some valuable minutes as he eases his way back to match fitness.

“I have not yet spoken with the selectors,” Pochettino said. “But they know that I am pro-selection and that we are to help not only Argentina but all those nations which involve our players.”

Ander Herrera, Kylian Mbappe, Idrissa Gueye, and Angel Di Maria scored in PSG’s victory over Brest.