PSG

No World Cup hangover for Messi — Argentine scores in first game back for PSG

24 days after lifting the World Cup, Lionel Messi made his return to the pitch as league-leading PSG welcomed last-place Angers to the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.

With Kylian Mbappé not returning to training until Thursday, PSG manager Christophe Galtier started Messi and Neymar out wide with 20-year-old French striker Hugo Ekitiké leading the line and Fabián Ruiz joining the attack from midfield.

Before the match, PSG players warmed up in shirts paying tribute to Pelé and there was a minute's applause before kick-off.

Messi receives a guard of honor on his return to PSG but also a death glare from Mbappé's little brother

After a few days of rest, World Cup champion Lionel Messi returned to PSG training sessions and was warmly welcomed by teammates and the technical staff of the French club. 

Messi was loudly cheered and received a guard of honor to celebrate his role in Argentina's title in Qatar 2022. Soccer advisor Luis Campos even gave him a small trophy to mark the occasion. 

However, amidst Messi's honoring march, someone was not very happy: Ethan Mbappé, Kylian Mbappé's little brother. 

Mbappé and Hakimi look for post-World Cup rebound at NBA game in Brooklyn

After losing in the final stages of the World Cup and then suffering a first Ligue 1 defeat of the season this past Sunday, PSG teammates Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi quickly used their time off to get as far away from the sport as possible.

With the France and Monaco stars unlikely to feature whatsoever in Friday's Coupe de France Round of 64 match against third-tier Châteauroux, Mbappé and Hakimi departed for the United States and made a surprise appearance at Brooklyn's Barclays Center for an NBA game between the Nets and San Antonio Spurs on Monday night.

Kylian Mbappé responds to Emi Martínez's World Cup taunts

PARIS - France striker Kylian Mbappé has shrugged off Argentina keeper Emiliano Martínez's taunts after the World Cup final, saying he did not "waste energy on such futile things" as he awaited the return of Paris Saint Germain teammate Lionel Messi.

Mbappé became the second player to score a World Cup final hat-trick as he dragged his country back into the match with a late second-half double and an extra-time penalty, which was still not enough as Argentina prevailed in a shootout.

Neymar destruye el alma de un rival con un magnífico combo de elástico y túnel

El PSG volvió a la acción de la Ligue 1 tras el parón que significó el Mundial, enfrentando al RC Estrasburgo, en un partido que básicamente fue una cápsula de exhibición de las mejores virtudes y los peores defectos de Neymar Jr.  

La estrella brasileña brilló con una asistencia en la victoria por 2-1 del PSG y dejó a todos boquiabiertos al dejar en el camino a un rival con un movimiento que incluyó elástico y túnel. ¿Lo malo? Se fue expulsado luego de una terrible simulación.

Neymar receives RED CARD for DIVING — Kylian Mbappé saves PSG with 96th minute game-winning penalty

Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar has many haters for one simple reason: he dives a lot. Those haters had their prayers answered on Wednesday during PSG’s 2-1 victory vs. Strasbourg when Neymar was red carded for diving.

OK, so technically it was a second yellow card, but either way the referee sent Neymar off for simulation.

His two yellow card offenses happened in less than two minutes during the second half. The first yellow card in the 61st minute was for him accidentally catching an opponent’s face with his hand. Then 85 seconds later Neymar did this.

PSG coach says no bad blood between Messi-Mbappé, but Emi Martínez is another story

After sending 11 players to the World Cup, Paris Saint-Germain's season resumes Wednesday with the Ligue 1 leaders needing to find motivation for a home match against 19th-place Strasbourg.

PSG manager Christophe Galtier gave his pre-match press conference Tuesday and outlined how many of the club's World Cup stars would be available for selection — including France's Kylian Mbappé, Morocco's Achraf Hakimi and Brazil's Neymar — but Argentina's Lionel Messi had been given extended leave until early January.

Ines Rau? Rose Bertram? Who is Kylian Mbappé's girlfriend?

Random morning weekday, The18 headquarters:

"Who is Kylian Mbappé's new girlfriend? We should write a story. Any volunteers?"

Well, here is your volunteer.

I know those who see the world in 4-3-3, 3-5-2 or 4-2-2 formations and spend the day analyzing the tactical wrinkles of Pep Guardiola in Manchester City or Jürgen Klopp in Liverpool don't give a cent about who is Kylian Mbappé's girlfriend.

But guess what? The world is not only yours. Some people may also want to know more about the glamorous life of soccer stars and this is for them.

Back from break – European top 5 league standings heading into restart

After an international winter break full of jaw-dropping goals, underdog runs, shockers and comebacks that en

Lionel Messi's career by the numbers

The following is a look at Argentina captain Lionel Messi's career by the numbers:

499 million

Global followers on social media platforms Facebook and Instagram (over 10 times the population of Argentina)

$120 million

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