Mbappe welcomes ´legend´ Leo as Messi trains for first time with PSG

Lionel Messi has joined Paris Saint-Germain training and was given a warm welcome by superstar team-mate Kylian Mbappe.

Messi this week completed his stunning free transfer to PSG having left Barcelona.

The deal was completed on Tuesday, before the six-time Ballon d’Or winner faced the media on Wednesday. On Thursday, he was able to link up with his new team-mates.

On their official Instagram page, PSG posted a short video clip to their story showing Messi going through running drills.

Meanwhile, Mbappe – whose contract talks are now the club’s chief focus – posted pictures of an embrace with the 34-year-old great.

Welcome to Paris, Léo. pic.twitter.com/ZDO11HSVOw

— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) August 12, 2021

“Welcome to Paris, Leo,” he wrote, adding a further caption on his story: “Legend.”

PSG are expected to move some squad players out to offset the cost of Messi’s deal and a tentative first transfer was secured on Thursday.

Timothee Pembele, the 18-year-old defender who featured six times in Ligue 1 for PSG last season, has joined Bordeaux on loan until the end of the season.

Bordeaux have the option to sign Pembele permanently, too, with a PSG statement telling the teenager to “develop the qualities he has already shown”.