Lionel Messi PSG debut: Superstar comes off bench; Mbappe scores twice in Paris Saint-Germain win vs. Reims
Messi subbed on in the 66th minute of PSG's 2-0 win on Sunday

REIMS -- Lionel Messi finally made his PSG debut on Sunday, coming off the bench in the club's 2-0 win away at Stade de Reims in Ligue 1. But it was Kylian Mbappe who stole the show with both goals in the win.
The France international scored once in each half as even the home crowd clamored for Messi (buy his new PSG jersey here) and was finally rewarded just after Mbappe hit the second. Mauricio Pochettino waited until the final 66th minute to unleash the legendary Argentine, who subbed in for Neymar. The switch means that we will have to wait to see if the Messi-Neymar-Mbappe trio ever sees the light of day at PSG.
As far as Messi and Mbappe went, the Frenchman was very clearly happy to be on the same pitch as his illustrious new teammate and immediately looked for him at times when he might not have with other more familiar teammates.
Craving even more coverage of the world's game? Listen below and follow ¡Qué Golazo! A Daily CBS Soccer Podcast where we take you beyond the pitch and around the globe for commentary, previews, recaps and more.
The 22-year-old Mbappe, heavily linked with Real Madrid as the transfer window approaches an end, underlined his importance to Les Parisiens once more with a clinical performance. Mbappe headed in from a Di Maria cross after a quarter of an hour and put the finishing touch to a lightning fast counter-attack after 63 minutes as his strong understanding with summer arrival Achraf Hakimi continues to develop.
Messi's best chance was snuffed out 12 minutes from time after linking up with Mbappe, and the South American was introduced to Ligue 1's customary heavy tackling as Reims lost their cool at times toward the end.
Messi getting a crash course in France's passion for rugby with some of these tackles flying in as we edge towards 90 minutes.
Messi has been on the pitch for a few minutes now and there have been hints at the chemistry that could be between the Argentine legend and Mbappe. However, he is also quite clearly off the pace and in need of minutes. Similar to Neymar, who he replaced this second half.
Share Video
-
9:02Gonzalo García Scores 3 As Real Madrid Dominate Real Betis - Scoreline
-
0:36Golazo Of The Day! (1/4/26) - Scoreline
-
6:49Cameroon & Morocco ADVANCE To AFCON Quarter-Finals - Scoreline
-
8:07Barcelona LATE Win In Catalan Derby - Scoreline
-
8:01Mike Grella predicts the final Serie A standings - Golazo Matchday
-
10:39Juventus to sign Federico Chiesa? | Serie A New Year's Resolutions - Golazo Matchday
-
8:36Manchester City Looks To Bounce Back As They Go Up Against Chelsea! - Scoreline
-
10:59Serie A Matchweek 18 Preview! (1/2) - Scoreline
-
9:21AFCON 2025 KNOCKOUT ROUND BRACKET & PREDICTIONS: Morocco vs. Senegal Final? - Morning Footy
-
0:38Golazo Of The Day! (01/01/26) - Scoreline
-
6:04"New Year New Me": Players who need to improve in 2026 - Scoreline
-
8:07Enzo Maresca OUT at Chelsea - Scoreline
-
9:36Nigeria stay Perfect | Senegal remain Unbeaten | AFCON Matchday 3 Tuesday Recap (12/30) - Scoreline
-
8:08Ipswich exposes Coventry City weaknesses | Frank Lampard's front line not enough? - Golazo Matchday
-
8:01Wrexham defeats Preston, FOUR POINTS Off Playoffs | RANKING Wrexham's debut season | Golazo Matchday
-
9:03Morocco's DYNAMIC DUO x Lyle Foster CARRYING South Africa - Scoreline
-
4:03Arsenal Host Aston Villa In Top-Of-The-Table Clash! - Scoreline
-
9:27Cameroon & Ivory Coast Ends In Draw, Algeria Gets Big Win - Scoreline
-
6:21Serie A Title Race Heats Up! - Scoreline
-
0:48Golazo Of The Day! (12/27/25) - Scoreline
