- Title: 'It is incredible': high expectations as Parisian fans await Messi's arrival
- Date: 9th August 2021
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (AUGUST 9, 2021) (REUTERS) FANS CHANTING: "MESSI, MESSI, MESSI" / FANS BANGING ON FENCE FANS BANGING ON FENCE PSG LOGO ON JERSEY / FANS FANS CHANTING, JUMPING / FANS BANGING ON FENCE VARIOUS OF FAN ON THE FENCE WITH PARC DES PRINCES STADIUM IN THE BACKGROUND (SOUNDBITE) (French) PSG FAN, TERENCE LARIBE, SAYING: "We expect a lot from Messi with the PSG. He is a legend, we are talking about Lionel Messi. We expect from him that he brings a true added value to the club, makes it reach an even higher level and that, at last, he brings us this Champions League (victory) that we have been waiting forever since the Qataris (owners of the club) arrived." FANS GATHERED BEHIND BARRIERS (SOUNDBITE) (French) PSG FAN, TERENCE LARIBE, SAYING: "Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe will be one of the greatest offences in the world. To be thinking that Mbappe, Neymar, and Messi will be together for the (French) Ligue 1 is crazy, it is crazy, it is incredible." MAN HOLDING CHILD WITH PSG JERSEY ON FANS CHANTING, FANS BANGING ON FENCE
- Embargoed: 23rd August 2021 18:18
- Keywords: Lionel Messi PSG Parc des princes Paris fans
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE
- City: PARIS, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Europe,Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001EPK62WV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CAN BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDIT 1110-SOCCER-SPAIN-FCB/MESSI-PSG-FANS SHOWING FANS WAITING AT AIRPORT
Spirits were high in front of Paris' Parc des Princes stadium on Monday (August 9) as Paris Saint Germain (PSG) fans waited for the arrival of former Barcelona player Lionel Messi for the second day in a row.
Messi is reportedly finalising a move to PSG a day after his teary farewell from Barca, who could not afford to sign him to a new contract. He will not arrive in the French capital before Tuesday (August 10), according to French media.
Fans were also eagerly waiting at Le Bourget airport outside Paris, where he is set to land, at the American Hospital of Paris, where he will carry out health checks, and at the PSG headquarters in Boulogne-Billancourt.
Their wish is for Messi to usher PSG towards a Champions League title, which has remained out of reach for the Qatar Sports Investment-owned club.
Messi said on Sunday (August 8) that PSG was "a possibility" but that he had not yet signed any deal. French media have reported that he is on the verge of doing so, however.
(Production: Yves Herman, Manuel Ausloos) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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