PSG's Messi scored his first goal with PSG. It was an amazing finish that reminded him of his best.
They sold out in seven minutes when 150,000 Lionel Messi shirts were posted on Paris St-Germain’s website on the same day as his signing.
PSG were there when Neymar signed four years ago, but they weren't surprised by the excitement surrounding the arrival of the Argentine superstar Messi.
This is, however, a new experience for the man. As a 13-year-old boy, he moved to Barcelona. He was 13 years old when he moved to Barcelona with his family.
Everyone at PSG made it a point to make Messi feel at home from the moment he arrived in France in August. At Ander Herrera’s house, Messi was invited to a group meeting. Messi felt supported in his dressing room since he arrived.
Sergio Ramos, a former Real Madrid defender, who had fought on many occasions in Spain with Messi, was quick to receive him. Prior to signing, he had already discussed the possibility that he could sign with Neymar, Angel di Maria and Leandro Paredes.
Neymar offered Messi his number 10, which Messi refused. Instead, he chose the number 30 he wore as an adolescent when he made his senior debut at Barca.
He was also delighted by the warm reception Kylian Mbappe gave him - who, incidentally, speaks perfect Spanish as well as the happy-go-lucky joker Marco Verratti.
Another reason the move was appealing was the good relationship Messi had with Mauricio Pochettino, PSG boss, and his countryman. They speak the same language, understand each other, and even spoke the phone right after Messi's departure from Barcelona. They have a long-standing relationship.
Sebastiano Pochettino (the manager's son) showed Messi some equipment during his first day at PSG training. Messi was puzzled by the fact that Sebastiano Pochettino, the manager's son, showed him some equipment. He wasn't sure what he was going to do with the equipment. He had seen them in Barcelona but hadn't been asked to use them.
This is yet another example of Messi's change, but on the pitch things are more familiar. PSG has played as a team around Messi since his debut match at Reims, which was a 2-0 victory on 29 August. They attack by looking first at his diagonal runs from right wing and then work together with small passes before getting that final boost of pace up front.
Neymar is more than happy to be a winger, and play on the left like Messi at Barcelona. He was no longer at the centre of everything at PSG.
It was different against Manchester City last week in the Champions League. PSG quickly realized they couldn't control possession and they looked for ways to counterattack. Although they did it to great effect, you'll always get less from Messi.
They expect to control possession in all games. This may be a problem because Messi and Neymar will benefit more from this style than Mbappe. The Frenchman needs space to run. This dynamic may prove difficult to balance for Pochettino.
The defensive work of all three forwards must also be increased. In the beginning of the season, there were instances when the team split in half. The three stars at the top lost contact with the rest.
They were clearly not at their best at the weekend. They lost 2-0 to Rennes, their first league loss of the season. They had previously won eight of their Ligue 1 matches and are now trying to regain the title they won last term.
Messi's home debut against Lyon, which ended in a 2-1 victory on 20 September, was much talked about a few weeks before. However, stories of him being "stunned and bewildered" at being replaced are wildly exaggerated.
Although Messi may want to play every game, Pochettino decided to let him go because he felt discomfort in his knee. Manager Pochettino suspected that something was wrong and Messi missed the next training session.
Messi's dedication to the team was unquestioned. As if that wasn't enough, Messi took up the "draught excluder” role in a defensive wall after scoring a spectacular 74th-minute goal. He didn't hesitate to accept the offer from captain Marquinhos (the position was normally filled by Verratti, who had been replaced).
Another example of outsiders misinterpreting Messi's mood was this. Although some former players took offense on his behalf and made a fuss about the humiliation, Messi saw it as nothing more than something he had done for the team's sake.
Messi joined PSG under a 2-year contract. There is an option for a 3rd year.
Messi's defeat at Rennes aside; the only problems Messi has had so far are off the pitch.
The Argentine was not impressed by the revelations on L'Equipe's front cover about his contract and wages. It took several years in Spain for his salary to leak, while it took less time in France - though the report may have been incorrect.
A soap opera about the Messi family's search to buy a Paris property is also being produced. Interviews with property agents and experts have been a regular feature in the local press. They often talk about what kind of home they want to purchase.
It was all about football in Spain. His family was kept private, but it was known that he was living in Spain.
It is looking more like a French story. He isn't happy about the intrusion, not least as it poses a security threat.
Since 2008, Messi and Antonela have been married
Although living with his family in a very luxurious and spacious hotel is not ideal, it must be noted that Pochettino continues to do the same.
Although the family is determined to settle in Paris as soon as possible, it is difficult because not many properties in Paris can offer the same kind of outdoor living and garden that they had at their Castelldefels home on the outskirts Barcelona.
They take occasional walks in parks around their hotel. Security is always present. Antonela Messi, Messi's wife, is trying to find a home and is close to being done.
It is difficult to emphasize her role as partner and mother of their children. But, she also serves as best friend, confidante, and, in such a situation, a crucial component in making sure everything runs smoothly.
When Messi was five years old, he met Antonela Roccuzzo. She is a Rosario native. He is his cousin and best friend Lucas Scaglia's childhood friend, who is also an avid footballer.
Since 2008, the couple has been together inseparable. Messi was quick to point out that the hardest part of making the decision to move to Paris was informing his wife and then his children.
Antonela is his rock, his pillar of strength and stability that keeps the family stable and strong. It is impossible to imagine him contemplating the move without Antonela, his soulmate, and the support of his children.
Antonella, Messi's oldest child, has been training twice per week with PSG's younger sides. Antonella is perhaps conscious of the fact that "fruit never falls far away from the tree". She also transports the children to school, and she spends time on her personal projects, including sponsorships, partnerships, endorsements and endorsements.
The family can see the supporters from their hotel window if they look out of their hotel window. However, the initial surge of excitement has subsided to the point that the fences that were put up to keep them away have been removed.
Paris' "Messimania", however, is not slowing down. They had already sold out when I went into the club shop to purchase a PSG Messi home or away shirt for the match against Manchester City.
We should expect to be on a rollercoaster ride with him and his goal in that game, as well as the promise of many more.
