ATLANTA, GEORGIA—The dream of Paris Saint-Germain to start strong under the era of former FC Barcelona superstar Argentine striker Lionel Messi did go as planned.
On Wednesday, Club Brugge held PSG to 1-1 draw on Champions League opener as the team’s stars Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe did not play well.
Messi hit the woodwork on his first start with PSG but he failed to add to his 120 goals in the competition.
Earlier, Messi hoped to win another Champions League crown after signing a two-year deal with PSG.
In his formal introduction to the media as a member of PSG, Messi said leaving FCB was one of the toughest moments in his life.
Messi said that now that he had a new team with PSG he is very motivated to play and hopefully win championships with the soccer club.
“My exit from Barca was very tough, after so many years, but as soon as I arrived here I was so happy, so motivated, so excited. It has happened so fast, but I am enjoying it so much,” Messi said.
“My goal and my dream are to win the Champions League once more. I think that we have the team to do it here,” Messi added.
In signing his PSG contract, Messi is expected to earn between €30-35 million ($35-41m) net a year.
PSG was able to contact Messi on August 4 after his supposed five-year contract with Barca fell due to economic problems.
Now that Messi is a PSG player, it would increase the likelihood of Kylian Mbappe, who is out of contract next summer, signing a new long-term deal with the club.
