Lionel Messi made his first appearance since Argentina won the 2022 World Cup and scored PSG’s second goal in their 2-0 victory against Angers in the 18th round of Ligue 1 play this morning (January 12). This was Messi’s first game after Argentina’s victory.

After participating in the 2022 World Cup, Messi will not play for PSG in any of their first three matches following the tournament. Since his return to training in Paris a week ago, he has been in the starting lineup for every game since, including the most recent one against Angers, who are currently in last place in the table. Ligue 1.

Neymar also started for Brazil in this match despite serving a suspension for his actions at the 2022 World Cup and suffering an ankle ailment. In the meantime, Kylian Mbappe, who scored three goals for France in the 2022 World Cup final loss to Argentina, is on the bench for the second game in a row and is likely to play with Lionel Messi this weekend when PSG takes on Rennes.

Hugo Ekitike, a teenage striker, was given another opportunity to start as a result of Mbappe’s absence, and he scored the game’s first goal off of a cross from Nordi Mukiele in the fifth minute. Then, despite playing at their own venue, PSG did not demonstrate any signs of domination. However, Messi also stepped out of his shoes in time to score the 13th goal for the French capital team this season, which set the stage for a 2-0 win.

While Messi and PSG maintain their lead over the rest of the league, Angers has now dropped ten games in a row, and the distance between them and the second-place team, Lens, has grown to six points (drawn 2-2 by Strasbourg).

Lionel Messi’s magic first touch in PSG vs Angers warm up

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will return to club football following his achievements at the 2022 World Cup with Argentina.

For Wednesday night’s visit from relegation-threatened Angers, Messi was selected for Christophe Galtier’s PSG starting XI.

With Neymar, his go-to partner in crime, and in-form summer addition Hugo Ekitike, Messi was a part of an enticing front three.

Do you know where Kylian Mbappe is? Along with his close friend Achraf Hakimi, he will reportedly return to PSG training on Thursday following a post-World Cup delay.

Even though Messi’s Argentina squad defeated France in the World Cup final, PSG supporters were obviously happy to see the superstar back in the lineup.

Just before kickoff, the name of the 35-year-old maestro was announced over the audio system at Parc des Princes, to a very enthusiastic response.

Messi performed an act of magic prior to the start of Wednesday’s Ligue 1 match, which was also lauded by the PSG fans.

The Barcelona great displayed a really impressive display of control throughout the warm-up, which only serves to emphasize how outrageously superior his first touch is to that of common humans.

Yes, it wasn’t during a game, but Messi still shown some genius, and it deserves to be fully acknowledged.

Yeah, good luck attempting to duplicate that in the neighborhood park!

Messi makes it seem so simple, but as anyone who has ever attempted to control a football can attest, it most certainly is not.

Messi wasted no time in significantly influencing PSG’s attacking play after dashing in the warm-up.

The World Cup winner provided the pre-assist for Ekiteke’s opening goal against Angers just five minutes into the game.

Messi made a beautiful pass to Nordi Mukiele on the right side of the field, and the defender quickly produced a perfect low cross into the path of Ekiteke, whose first-time finish to make it 1-0 was similarly excellent.

Messi provided the game-winning touch when PSG finally scored their second goal, which didn’t happen until far into the second half.

After the goal was initially disallowed, VAR subsequently determined that Messi was just barely onside.

Overall, the GOAT had a fantastic visit to Paris.