Paris (AFP)
An ovation from a full Parc des Princes, fireworks and a big atmosphere: the summer recruits of Paris SG, Lionel Messi in the lead, were presented to the supporters on Saturday, on the sidelines of the reception of Strasbourg in Ligue 1.
Successively, Achraf Hakimi, Georginio Wijnaldum, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos and finally Lionel Messi were greeted in triumph by the Parisian public.
They each said a word to the fans, from a small platform in the middle of the field.
"Bienvenido Ramos", "Welkom Wijnaldum", "Benvenuto Donnarumma", "Bienvenido Messi" ... Banners from the Ultras Paris Collective (CUP) were displayed in the stands, filled for the first time in nearly 17 months.
"Paris is magic", launched Ramos, to the delight of the supporters, before Messi made his entrance, like a king, in an enclosure overheated by chants, in front of a horde of photographers.
Argentine striker Lionel Messi makes his debut at the Parc des Princes, during the presentation of the new recruits of Paris Saint-Germain, before the L1 match against Strasbourg, August 14, 2021 Bertrand GUAY AFP
Some fireworks were fired on the lawn, at the end of a rather short ceremony organized one hour before the kickoff of the match of the 2nd day of Ligue 1, in which Hakimi and Wijnaldum participate as holders. .
The Parc des Princes opens for the first time in full capacity (47,900 places) since the end of February 2020, before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, by means of the presentation by fans of a health pass to the entrance to the enclosure.
Supporters of the Ultra Paris Collective encourage Paris Saint-Germain, during their L1 match against Strasbourg, August 14, 2021 at Parc des Princes Bertrand GUAY AFP
It opened its doors at 6:00 p.m., one hour before the usual time, to allow as many supporters as possible to be in the stands for the presentation of the recruits.
At 34, Leo Messi signed on Tuesday for two seasons (plus an optional one) with PSG, after leaving Barcelona.
As soon as he arrived on Tuesday, then during his presentation to the press on Wednesday, each of his appearances aroused immense enthusiasm from fans of the club in the capital, who even gathered at the training center Thursday and Friday to try to see the six-fold Ballon d'Or.
© 2021 AFP