Paris Saint-Germain head coach Christophe Galtier has, on Thursday, provided an update on the availability of star man Lionel Messi.
Messi, of course, has not featured in either of PSG’s last two fixtures.
This comes after the veteran attacker was afforded additional time off to celebrate and recover, on the back of Argentina’s triumph at the World Cup.
In his absence, the French champions have endured an altogether tough go of things, first requiring an injury-time Kylian Mbappe winner to get the better of Strasbourg.
And this was followed last time out by a first defeat of the Ligue 1 season, when high-flying Lens put three goals past Galtier and co. at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
Some say Marquinhos is still sliding 😭
What a goal this is from Loïs Openda 🤩
Lens lead once again ✨ pic.twitter.com/kVHTHvRB8Z
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 1, 2023
Speaking to the media on Thursday, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of Messi’s availability was put to PSG’s boss.
Messi, though, despite returning to training, will play no part.
‘He’s had a fantastic World Cup,’ Galtier began. ‘He had commitments, going back to his country for the celebrations and we wanted him to recover back home with his family.’
‘He will not play tomorrow. Having discussed with him, we want him to be ready for the following game (against Angers in Ligue 1).’
PSG fans made to wait for the return of Lionel Messi after Christophe Galtier rules him OUT of Friday’s French Cup clash https://t.co/ktPtyuSxur
— Mail Sport (@MailSport) January 5, 2023
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