In the lead before the 16th day of L1 with five points ahead of its runner-up, Lens, and ten over Rennes, third, Paris had an ideal first part of the season, during which it remained undefeated and did not concede only two draws.

Messi, in Argentina to celebrate his title of world champion at least "until January 1", should not miss the Parisians too much, especially since they can count on Mbappé and Neymar, "available for tomorrow's match "said the Parisian coach on Tuesday at a pre-match press conference.

Mbappé could even start, having already surprised by returning to training just three days after the World Cup final, won by Argentina against France (3-3, 4 tab to 2).

His teammate and friend Achraf Hakimi, eliminated in the semi-finals with Morocco, had imitated him.

"Want to come back quickly"

“We made sure to manage on a case-by-case basis, revealed Galtier. After talking with him, Kylian wanted to join us fairly quickly. That does not mean that there will not be, both for ( Achraf) Hakimi and Kylian (Mbappé), a time when they will have to recover, not especially physically but mentally."

Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi during a training session on the eve of the Ligue 1 match against Strasbourg, December 27, 2022 at the PSG training center, near Paris.

© JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP

From there to risk that the globalists get hurt?

"I don't think so, replies Galtier. There was the desire to come back quickly, to chain the two matches. From the moment they are physically and mentally well, we had no reason to deprive ourselves of the quality of our two players, who are important for the team."

If Mbappé, who no doubt wishes to evacuate the disappointment of the World Cup, could be a starter, Neymar should start on the bench.

The Brazil leader had suffered a sprained ankle during the group stage of the World Cup.

"When he came back, he worked inside and immediately after he worked outside without restrictions, however, said Galtier. Physically, his ankle is fine. Mentally, he really want to play."

"The Best Medicine"

For Mbappé as for Neymar, who were aiming for the supreme title with their selection in Qatar, the disillusion is immense.

Ligue 1 could then serve as an outlet for them.

Argentina captain and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lionel Messi is expected to return to Paris on 'January 2 or 3'.

Photo taken on December 20, 2022 in Ezeiza, in the province of Buenos Aires © Luis ROBAYO / AFP

"There is no better remedy than to return to your club, there is a very good atmosphere, slipped Galtier. The best remedy was that (the globalists) quickly return to work with their friends."

But far from him the idea of ​​taking Strasbourg from the top, penultimate with eleven points.

The 56-year-old coach expects a "difficult match, because it's a team that will play for survival in the second part of the season".

"If we only base ourselves on the classification, we are completely wrong, insists Galtier. We start from scratch, there have been six weeks of cuts."

This imposed break, World Cup requires, plunges the clubs into the unknown.

But for Paris, another post-World Cup question could emerge: will the celebrations of Messi's teammates, sometimes mocking Mbappé, put a chill between the two players?

"It's not Leo (Messi) who chambered, noted Galtier. We must leave him out of this. There is no reason to mix everything up. Kylian (Mbappé) had a very good attitude. He was very disappointed but he knew how to go with a lot of class to congratulate Leo, and that's very good for the team."

© 2022 AFP