Published on 04:11 AM, January 12, 2023

Messi scores in PSG victory on first appearance since World Cup win

Messi, who won the World Cup with Argentina, received a warm welcome from the Parc des Princes crowd and netted from close range in the 72nd minute. Photo: AFP
AFP, Paris

Lionel Messi made his first appearance for Paris Saint-Germain since winning the World Cup with Argentina and scored in a 2-0 victory against Angers in Ligue 1 on Wednesday.

The win, which came three and a half weeks after he captained Argentina to their World Cup final triumph on penalties against France in Qatar, saw PSG move six points clear at the top of the French table.

Messi had been rested for PSG's first three matches following the long break in the season caused by the World Cup but he returned to training in Paris a week ago and was back in the starting line-up for this match against Ligue 1's bottom side.

Neymar also started, having missed his team's last two matches, but Kylian Mbappe was rested for a second straight game.

Lionel Messi and Neymar wear a tee-shirt with the portrait of late Brazilian football legend Pele prior to the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and SCO Angers. Photo: AFP

That meant young striker Hugo Ekitike again started in the home attack at the Parc des Princes and he opened the scoring in the fifth minute from a Nordi Mukiele cross at the end of a move in which Messi also featured.

PSG were not at their sparkling best but Messi swept in his 13th club goal of the season to make it 2-0 with 17 minutes left.

Christophe Galtier's team extended their lead at the top of the table as second-placed Lens were held to a 2-2 draw away at Strasbourg.

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