Paris (AFP)

Blue and red jerseys on the back, phones stretched out and fireworks launched into the sky: Paris Saint-Germain supporters gathered in the French capital on Tuesday to welcome Argentinian football star Lionel Messi.

In front of Le Bourget airport, in the Paris region, where the plane of the former FC Barcelona player landed, several hundred people waited for the arrival of the six-fold Golden Ball.

Some had already been there the day before.

"He's a football legend. He's Messi! Even those who don't like football know him, he's a legend all over the world," said Jo Dutilloy, a 30-year-old worker.

"It is a pride to have such a player in his club."

The supporters, gathered behind a grid, chant "Messi! Messi!"

or "Here is Paris!", a traditional rallying cry.

"He's the + GOAT + (Greatest Of All Time. Editor's note), the best player of all time," exults Islem El Asri, 14 years old.

"I was there the day before yesterday and yesterday too," he says with pride.

Even if he prefers FC Barcelona, ​​the young man is happy to see Lionel Messi launch "a new challenge" at Paris Saint-Germain.

As a promise to see the French club further expand its base of supporters.

A little before 4:00 p.m., a shiver runs through the assembly, already well heated.

One of the airport windows opens.

La + Pulga + appears, waves her hand, a dazzling smile, wearing a flocked T-shirt with the famous "Here is Paris".

The fireworks crackle, the smoke flares up, the crowd chants the name of its hero.

Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi greets PSG supporters upon his arrival at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris, on August 10, 2021 Sameer Al-DOUMY AFP

Lionel Messi is disappearing as quickly as he appeared.

The hope of seeing him climb into his car gradually fades and the crowd slowly disperses, while some fans laughingly sing "Thank you Nasser", a tribute to the Qatari president of the club Nasser Al-Khelaïfi.

- "Once in a lifetime" -

At the entrance to the Parc des Princes, supporters flock to the red carpet at the VIP entrance.

One of them comes to do some juggling under the cheers.

Encouraged by an Argentinian television journalist, dozens of young people leaning against the barriers begin to drum plastic, also singing "Here is Paris!"

"It was a hassle there was no train to come from Elancourt", in Yvelines, west of Paris, "so we took an Uber for 40 euros", says Johlan Slama, a BTS student. , came with a friend.

Parisian supporters in front of the Parc des Princes in Paris, August 10, 2021, in the hope of welcoming Lionel Messi freshly recruited by PSG Zakaria ABDELKAFI AFP

"In a month I am 18 years old, so I will subscribe to the stadium", assures the young man who did not want "to miss the atmosphere", on the occasion of what he calls "one of the biggest transfers Of the history".

"It only happens once in a lifetime," he concludes.

Despite a short downpour, the crowd did not lose weight in front of the stadium and the supporters took the opportunity to launch insulting chants against the enemy of always: the Olympique de Marseille.

A rivalry that Messi should discover with Sergio Ramos, them the regulars of explosive games between Real and Barça

At the Factory, the club's headquarters, Youcef, Hanane and Bédis, who do not give their name, follow live, on their phone, the arrival of Messi's plane.

A supporter watches on his phone, from the Parc des Princes in Paris, the arrival of the flight of Lionel Messi, on August 10, 2021 Zakaria ABDELKAFI AFP

"There I am waking up from a dream", describes Bédis who also waited for Messi at the Parc des princes the day before.

"I'm going to stay here until I'm sure I see him," he said, holding his scarf which he wanted to give to the Argentinian player.

Mohamed, 24, brought his own seat to be patient and does not share the general euphoria.

Barça shirt on the arm, he was disappointed to see his idol leave his club forever.

“I couldn't believe it,” he explains, recounting that he cried during Lionel Messi's farewell press conference on Sunday.

"But it's football, it's going to do good in Paris," he puts into perspective.

© 2021 AFP