- Title: 'I love him': Fans keep vigil as Messi heads to first PSG news conference
- Date: 11th August 2021
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (AUGUST 11, 2021) (REUTERS) MESSI WALKING OUT OF HOTEL ROYAL MONCEAU AND GETTING INTO BLACK VAN / CONVOY LEAVING TO HEAD TO MESSI'S FIRST PSG PRESSER EXTERIOR OF HOTEL HOTEL LOGO (SOUNDBITE) (French) 17-YEAR-OLD FAN, NELSON DROSS, SAYING: "I love you (Messi), I love you. (JOURNALIST ASKING: "Why?") Why do I love him? Because he amazes everyone, he amazes everyone, and... he's a magician, a genius." FANS GATHERED OUTSIDE THE HOTEL (SOUNDBITE) (French) 19-YEAR-OLD FAN, SOFIANE ACHI, SAYING: "He's the best player in the world. He's the player with the most Ballon-D'or, the best track record, that's why. (JOURNALIST ASKING: "What is your hope for PSG?") I hope they win the Champions League." FANS OUTSIDE HOTEL
- Embargoed: 25th August 2021 09:56
- Keywords: Barcelona Lionel Messi PSG Paris fans hotel stadium transfer
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE
- City: PARIS, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Europe,Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA002EPU62IV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Newly signed Paris Saint Germain soccer star Lionel Messi left his hotel as he is set to give his first news conference with the French capital's flagship club on Wednesday morning (August 11).
Lionel Messi joined star-packed Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday after leaving Barcelona, the club where he had begun and was expected to end his career.
Messi, a six-times winner of the Ballon d'Or for Europe's best soccer player, signed a two-year contract with an option for a third year, the club said in a statement on its website.
The move will add the Argentine, one of the best players of his generation, to an already formidable PSG attack that includes Brazil's Neymar and French World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe.
Fans gathered outside the hotel for a glimpse of their favourite player.
"Why do I love him? Because he amazes everyone, he's a magician, a genius," fan Nelson Dross said.
(Production: Yiming Woo, Ardee Napolitano) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2021. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None