Lionel Messi is slowly adjusting to life at Paris Saint-Germain since joining from Barcelona last summer

After repeatedly failing to claim Europe’s most coveted trophy, Paris Saint-Germain knows that the sum of individual talents alone is not enough for a team to succeed on the biggest stage.

Since its wealthy Qatari boss took control of the French side more than 10 years ago, PSG has grown into a global brand with strong commercial revenues. Year after year, its squad has grown stronger with the addition of superstars like David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

Year after year, the Champions League, which it so desperately desires, remains out of reach despite finishing runners-up in 2020.

Taking Florentino Perez’s “galactic battleship” policy during his tenure as president of Real Madrid as an example, Paris Saint-Germain has not given up on the strategy of buying football superstars.

After four-time Champions League winners and seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi this season, the club hopes it will be a game-changer.

The ex-Barcelona superstar is now under pressure to clash with Madrid, a club that likes to see themselves as the kings of Europe and football’s “upstarts”. PSG hosted 13 winners in the first leg of the 16 rounds. Tuesday’s game at the Parc des Princes.

Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino said through an interpreter on Monday: “Leo was in good shape, it was a decisive game, a night like this is really important for a player of such talent.” With his experience, he obviously plays a vital role.”

Messi has slowly adjusted to his new club since signing a two-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain last summer, scoring just seven goals in 20 appearances.

Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos says the 34-year-old Argentine superstar needs time to find the right balance in his new environment, but expects him to perform well against Madrid, his long-term stint at Barcelona The Spanish club, scored 26 goals and provided 14 assists in 45 games.

“A person gets used to changing very quickly, especially in his case where all the explosions revolve around (his transfer),” Marchinhos said. “We can see him getting more comfortable and more confident. Hopefully he can put on a great game.”

With Neymar fresh from injury and unlikely to start, Paris Saint-Germain will also be counting on Mbappe to make an impact. The French striker, long sought after by Madrid, has been in excellent form recently and scored the injury-time winner in Ligue 1 on Friday.

The coveted duel between Mbappe and France teammate Karim Benzema seems unlikely to unfold. Benzema has been included in the Madrid squad but his hamstring injury has sidelined him since last month, so the way he will recover is in doubt.

Complete News Source : The Hindu