Lionel Messi is set to return to Paris Saint-Germain training on Tuesday after winning the World Cup with Argentina.
The 35-year-old was handed a 10-day break by PSG after his exploits in Qatar but has now reportedly returned to the club ahead of their Coupe de France clash against Chateauroux on Friday. Messi scored twice in the final as Argentina beat Kylian Mbappe's France on penalties at Lusail Stadium following a 3-3 after extra-time.
However, according to L'Equipe, Messi will not be joined by Mbappe in training after most of the PSG squad were granted a day off following their 3-1 defeat against Lens on Sunday. Mbappe scored a hat-trick in the final but didn't manage to finish on the winning side as he looked furious with Messi after the final whistle.
There had been some talk surrounding the pair before the game, especially after it was revealed Mbappe's idol is Cristiano Ronaldo and he believes the forward is "untouchable" in the battle with Messi. PSG teammate Abdou Diallo said, via the Mail : "Cristiano Ronaldo is literally everything to Kylian Mbappe. If you mention Lionel Messi against Cristiano, Mbappe will debate with you for at least an hour. For him, Cristiano is untouchable."
It seemed to add a bit of bite to the game but it was Messi who came out on top in a topsy-turvy encounter. With Messi now set to return to PSG training, he will have to reunite with Mbappe for the first time since the tournament, although it won't be at training on Tuesday.
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Injured duo Presnel Kimpembe and Nuno Mendes are expected at the training ground, as well as those making their return from physical issues in Renato Sanches and Timothée Pembélé. A recovery session took place in the aftermath of the defeat to Lens on Sunday night, with the squad expected back on Wednesday to prepare for their next challenge on Friday evening.
Messi will undergo a routine medical check and a light training session ahead of returning to full training with the rest of his teammates. Ahead of Messi's return, boss Christophe Galtier said: "Obviously he will be well received at home. On the reception at the stadium, I have no doubt that he will be well received at Parc des Princes.
"He won the most beautiful of trophies by being very good in this World Cup. Above all, now that he has achieved this incredible goal, we must remember what he has done since the start of the season with the team."
Messi has predictably been one of the standouts for PSG this season after what was initially a difficult first season at the Parc des Princes. The 35-year-old has scored 12 goals and provided 14 assists in 19 appearances in all competitions for Les Parisiens.
