PSG manager confirms Lionel Messi return date
By Henry Burt
Paris Saint-Germain head coach Christophe Galtier has confirmed that Lionel Messi will return to the club shortly after the new year.
The Argentina captain has enjoyed a lengthy break since leading La Albiceleste to their third World Cup win, taking part in the feverish celebrations back in his home country before staying to enjoy Christmas with his family.
Argentine outlet TyC Sports had previously reported that Messi would be back in training on the 3rd of January, and Galtier's comments appeared to more or less confirm this.
"He [Messi] had to return to Argentina for the celebrations, the receptions, and we decided that he was going to be off until January 1st," Galtier said on Tuesday.
"And so he will come and join us, either on the 2nd or the 3rd, to be able to resume competition with us, when he will have had between 13 and 14 days of recovery."
Galtier also played down rumours of a feud brewing between Messi and beaten World Cup finalist Kylian Mbappe, who was the subject of relentless attacks by Argentina players in the wake of the final.
"There is no reason to mix everything up in the relationship between Kylian and Leo," Galtier said.
"Kylian has a very good attitude having lost the World Cup.
"When you lose a World Cup final, you have a reason to be very, very disappointed. He was very disappointed, but he knew how to go on and behave, and had a lot of class to congratulate Leo."
Though many have speculated that the fallout from the World Cup final could see Messi and Mbappe's relationship deteriorate, PSG fans will be desperate to see the two forwards put their differences aside and ensure another successful season for the French champions.