Messi to PSG LIVE: Argentina star's official unveiling & press conference

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 🤯 The moment Leo Messi met with the 🔴🔵 fans! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PSGxMESSI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PSGxMESSI</a><a href="https://t.co/x30NhCRQEx">pic.twitter.com/x30NhCRQEx</a> — Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) <a href="https://twitter.com/PSG_English/status/1425400134540709888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Incredible scenes! 🔥

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Messi on playing with Neymar and Mbappe: "I am very happy. It's crazy. I'm going to play with the best players in the world, and that's always good." <a href="https://t.co/Ohbrfr98Ed">pic.twitter.com/Ohbrfr98Ed</a> — Goal (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1425386626100903936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Messi excited to play with Mbappe and Neymar 🤩

"This is an amazing and historic day for football and the club," says PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who looks very happy. "Everyone knows Leo - he is the only football player to win six Ballons d'Or. It will be very exciting for our supporters and fans worldwide."

'An amazing and historic day'

Thanks for joining Goal for Lionel Messi's first official PSG press conference! What a morning, especially for fans of the Paris giants and French football in general. Here's a look back at what was said: • <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/im-going-to-play-with-the-best-players-in-the-world-messi/18gawxadhktlbzfjytqfxqvim" target="_blank">Messi excited to play with 'world's best' Neymar &amp; Mbappe</a> • <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/theres-no-excuse-for-him-now-mbappe-has-to-stay-at-psg-after/qqb03xzr0pvc1k3wbw7ckfbov" target="_blank">'No excuse for Mbappe to leave now!' - Al-Khelaifi</a> • <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/messi-signing-does-not-break-financial-fair-play-rules/a6vgjx0o3c821c8e0idjty010" target="_blank">Messi signing does not break FFP rules, insists PSG president</a> •&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/maybe-i-need-a-pre-season-messi-unsure-when-he-will-make-psg/me46oiq18tu8176764t00g40b" target="_blank">Messi admits he may need his own pre-season</a> Au revoir! 👋 <center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 👀 Front row seat for Leo Messi's first meeting with the fans at the Parc! 🏟️❤️💙<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PSGxMESSI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PSGxMESSI</a> <a href="https://t.co/eghzAjSFLa">pic.twitter.com/eghzAjSFLa</a> — Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) <a href="https://twitter.com/PSG_English/status/1425407514921811968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

That's all from us!

Paris Saint-Germain are not in violation of UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules by signing Lionel Messi, president Nasser&nbsp;Al-Khelaifi insists. "We have the capacity to sign him," said Al-Khelaifi.&nbsp;"If we sign Leo, it's because we can, otherwise we would not have done it." <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/messi-signing-does-not-break-financial-fair-play-rules/a6vgjx0o3c821c8e0idjty010" target="_blank">Read the story in full!</a>

'If we sign Leo, it's because we can'

Well, let's see... <center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 🇦🇷 The magic of Messi 🧙‍♂️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/GFUpVnJXrJ">pic.twitter.com/GFUpVnJXrJ</a> — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1425215127335362565?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

What can they expect from Messi in Paris?

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi says "there is no excuse" for Kylian Mbappe not to stay at the club following the arrival of Lionel Messi. "Well, we have the most competitive in the world right now. So there is no excuse for him now. He can't do anything else but stay." <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/theres-no-excuse-for-him-now-mbappe-has-to-stay-at-psg-after/qqb03xzr0pvc1k3wbw7ckfbov" target="_blank">Read the full story on Goal!</a>

'No excuse for Mbappe to leave now'

Lionel Messi says he's unsure when he will make his Paris Saint-Germain debut after joining the French giants on a free transfer due to the fact he may "need a pre-season". "I'm going to begin to train and work and I hope I can play as soon as I can, when the staff thinks I'm OK, I'll be ready." <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/maybe-i-need-a-pre-season-messi-unsure-when-he-will-make-psg/me46oiq18tu8176764t00g40b" target="_blank">Read the story in full!</a>

Messi: I may need a pre-season

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> The next chapter. <a href="https://t.co/iDQL4760Ub">pic.twitter.com/iDQL4760Ub</a> — Goal (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1425397522063892483?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

The page has been turned

A rapturous reception for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner. Flares, fireworks, drums, chants, you name it!

Messi meets the PSG Ultras

The official duties continue. Lionel Messi has now made his way out to the Parc des Princes pitch for more photos, posing with president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. He'll be meeting with the fans soon as well.

Bienvenue Leo Messi!

Lionel Messi says he is excited to play alongside the world's "best players" after joining Paris Saint-Germain. The move sees him reunite with ex-Barca team-mate Neymar and France striker Kylian Mbappe and the forward is excited to feature alongside the pair. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/im-going-to-play-with-the-best-players-in-the-world-messi/18gawxadhktlbzfjytqfxqvim" target="_blank">Read the full story on Goal!</a>

Messi, Neymar, Mbappe 😳

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨🚨LES ULTRAS PARISIENS SONT ARRIVÉS 🔥🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PSG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PSG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamPSG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamPSG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MessiPSG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MessiPSG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Co_Ultras_Paris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Co_Ultras_Paris</a> <a href="https://t.co/U98bDSKNNo">pic.twitter.com/U98bDSKNNo</a>— Canal Supporters (@CanalSupporters) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanalSupporters/status/1425390077925072898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

The Ultras are happy 😂

The PSG fans are in for a treat this season! <center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">📺 The view from outside the Parc! 🔴🔵<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PSGxMESSI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PSGxMESSI</a> <a href="https://t.co/26oO8CAUPB">pic.twitter.com/26oO8CAUPB</a>— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) <a href="https://twitter.com/PSG_English/status/1425392241804259328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Look at these scenes 🤩

Huge applause erupts as the press conference concludes. Some people began chanting "MESSI! MESSI! MESSI!" and "VAMOS MESSI!" 😂

And that's that!

"The coaching staff and the squad had a lot to do with me choosing this club," said Messi. “I know the coach Mauricio Pochettino very well. The fact that he is Argentinian helped from the start, it was important in my decision making."

Messi: Pochettino was a big part of my decision

"This team is ready," said Messi. "There are some new transfers, but they have been close and are ready. I have just come here to help. "My dream is to win this trophy again and I think Paris is the best place to do so." Will Leo bring PSG over the line, finally?

'PSG are ready to win the Champions League'

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi was asked about FFP... "We always fulfilled our obligations about Financial Fair Play. As soon as we saw we had the capacity to sign Messi we signed him. If we didn't we wouldn't have signed him," said Al-Khelaifi.&nbsp; "He's a big asset for the club. Every single part of the club has increased in the three days.&nbsp; "I hope Leo will not ask for more salary! But always we will always fulfill&nbsp;Financial Fair Play regulations."

'I hope Leo won't ask for a bigger salary!'

"Neymar and I know each other very well," Messi told reporters. "I hope we will be stronger together and with all our team-mates."

'Neymar & I will be stronger together'

<center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Messi has some good taste I see. Good luck at PSG my guy 🙏🏽 <a href="https://t.co/7Lj6S0tevb">pic.twitter.com/7Lj6S0tevb</a> — Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) <a href="https://twitter.com/StephenCurry30/status/1425243515307450372?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Steph Curry: Messi has good taste 👀

"I am really grateful to the people in the street. I was in Barcelona when the press reported that people were already out in the streets," Messi says of the PSG fans celebrating his arrival. "It is incredible. I want to thank them and I want to see them in the city and the stadium. It will be an incredible year."

Messi hails PSG fans 😍 👏

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">PSG unveil their greatest-ever signing: Lionel Messi 🐐 <a href="https://t.co/Uzo7CebA8n">pic.twitter.com/Uzo7CebA8n</a>— Goal (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1425384421276934149?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

The 🐐 is in the Parc 

"Everything that happened me in the last week was hard, and fast too," says Messi. "It was emotional, it changed from one day to the next, there were so many feelings. Nobody was prepared for that. "But I am excited about this new stage for my career and my family."

'I am excited about this new stage for my career'

"The team here is incredible," says the Argentine. "There have been some amazing signings. "This will be an unbelievable experience for me. I do not know when I will first be able to play and&nbsp;I might need some pre-season conditioning first."

Messi hails 'incredible' PSG

"My exit from Barcelona has been a difficult change but the moment I arrived here, I've been very happy," says Messi. "I've enjoyed my time in Paris from the first minute." He added: "I am very grateful that such complicated negotiations were made so easy. Truly. I feel this club is ready to fight for every title."

'I've enjoyed Paris from the first minute'

The PSG fans are going wild chanting Messi's name.

MESSI! MESSI! MESSI!

HERE WE GO!

PSG and their fans are understandably delighted to see a player who is widely considered to be the best of all time at their club, but not everyone is happy. Barcelona stalwart and former team-mate of Messi, Andres Iniesta is sad to see the Argentine leave Camp Nou. “It will hurt to see him in another team’s shirt. Leo personifies Barcelona. He was everything, he’s a player who transcends the team," said Iniesta.&nbsp;"I’ve never seen a player like him and I don’t think I ever will." <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/iniesta-it-will-hurt-to-see-messi-play-for-psg/v7btr492sfpn1m46la5htdfa9" target="_blank">Read the full story!</a>

Not everyone is happy...

Neymar is delighted to be reunited with his former Barcelona team-mate. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/back-together-neymar-welcomes-messi-to-psg-as-former/rf512kmr22c11mqupnp5b9c2z" target="_blank">Read the full story!</a>

'Back together'

An expectant crowd waits outside Parc des Princes! We understand the press conference will begin very shortly. Stay tuned!

🚨 Press conference set to begin 🚨

As we wait for the press conference to begin, here is what Messi said following the confirmation of his signing yesterday. "I am impatient to start a new chapter of my career in Paris", Messi told the PSG website. "The club and its vision are in perfect harmony with my ambitions. I know how talented the players and staff are here. "I am determined to build, alongside them, something great for the club and for the fans. I can't wait to set foot on the Parc des Princes pitch."

What has Messi said?

That is the big question that Mauricio Pochettino must answer. "One of the few sticks that critics have left to beat Messi is that he has not proven himself away from Barca, whose brand of football has been devoted to getting the best from the 34-year-old almost since he first&nbsp;exploded onto the scene nearly two decades ago. "Having won a major international honour in the summer as he led Argentina to the Copa America, Messi will now seek to silence what is perhaps the last major argument against his name. "Of course, simply winning Ligue 1 will not cut it; he has to lead PSG to their first Champions League title. "But how will head coach Mauricio Pochettino use Messi in order to do this?" <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/as-a-no10-or-up-front-where-will-messi-play-for-psg/2zpbz89pvnb61gkh3qanyov5n" target="_blank">Read Robin Bairner's explainer here!</a>

Where will Messi play for PSG?

Neymar has the No. 10 so Messi will wear No. 30 at PSG. Will you be wearing one this season? <center> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Would you wear a Messi 30 PSG jersey? 👕 — Goal (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1425370598809743364?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Leo Messi #30 - yes or no? 🤔

<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/messi-psg-two-year-contract-free-transfer-barcelona/abx3a6jlwcoc12co9uve9uap8" target="_blank">Lionel Messi has joined Paris Saint-Germain!</a> The six-time Ballon d'Or winner brought his magical time at Barcelona to an emotional end, but a new chapter is set to begin in France. He will be officially unveiled and speak to the media today. You can watch it all in the video above. Stick with Goal for all the latest from Paris as it happens!

So it actually happened! 😳

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Messi to PSG LIVE: Argentina star's official unveiling & press conference | Goal.com South Africa

Lionel Messi has completed a sensational move to Paris Saint-Germain - follow the official unveiling and press conference LIVE!