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Lionel Messi ‘WILL be in PSG squad’ for Man City clash after injury scare, says manager Mauricio Pochettino


PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN boss Mauricio Pochettino has revealed Lionel Messi WILL be in the club’s squad to face Manchester City.

The 34-year-old has missed the last two clashes against Metz and Montpellier after suffering a bone contusion on his right knee.

Lionel Messi could feature for Paris Saint-Germain against Manchester City on Tuesday nightCredit: AFP
Argentine forward Messi has missed the club’s last two fixtures due to injuryCredit: Getty

But former Tottenham gaffer Pochettino has insisted he is recovering well ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash – though being named in the starting XI may come too soon for him.

Speaking in Monday’s pre-match press conference, he said: “We will wait until tomorrow to confirm who will participate.

“Can I confirm Messi will be there on Tuesday?

“I never confirm the team the day before. It’s something we will see tomorrow.

“Leo is a bit like Marco Verratti. He’s progressing very well. I think he will be in the squad.

“But I still have not decided the starting XI.”

Six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is still waiting to score his first Les Parisiens goalCredit: Getty


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Messi is yet to score or provide an assist from his three outings for Les Parisiens following his summer arrival.

And ex-Liverpool striker Michael Owen believes that PSG are a WEAKER side with him in the line-up.

Pochettino has admitted the the French outfit, who have won all eight of their Ligue 1 fixtures so far, are still adjusting to having Messi as part of their squad.

He remarked: “It is a fact, not an opinion, that we are a work in progress.

“There needs to be some common sense. That is not up for debate.”

Before adding: “He did 20 years in Barcelona, it’s normal he felt at home there and here, everything is new for him.

“He did not arrive a long time ago.”

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