Lionel Messi made his home debut for PSG against Lyon on Sunday evening in the French capital – but failed to have a telling impact as Mauro Icardi was called upon to grab a late winner.
Barcelona icon Messi received a rousing reception from the Parc Des Princes crowd at their Ligue 1 meeting. The hosts were two points clear at top of the table.
Messi was part of a front four which included Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Angel Di Maria. Ander Herrera, Idrissa Gueye were assigned to add solidarity in the midfield.
Gianluigi Donnarumma won the goal slot ahead of Keylor Nvas. A back four of Nuno Medes, Presnel Kipembe and Thilo Karcher completed the back four.
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Messi played a starring role in the first-half without being able to break the deadlock, with Anthony Lopes first saving well from his close range strike before the Argentine smashed the post with a long-range free-kick.
Mbappe missed another chance to score past Lopes in the first 45 minutes. Di Maria was lively in the middle.
Just after the hour mark, Lyon took the lead through Lucas Paqueta’s smart low goal past Gianluigi Darumma.
PSG was now in control. Neymar won a penalty under controversial circumstances and placed the ball on goal. This sent the goalkeeper off his feet in the 66th minute.
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After 74 minutes, Messi was taken off by Pochettino for fellow new boy Achraf Hakimi, making for his longest appearance in PSG shirt on what was his third outing in all competitions.
Messi took a few seconds to get his hands on the bench before looking at his manager confusedly.
PSG managed to find a winning goal. Icardi scored the winning goal from a Mbappe cross, and it was done with less than a second remaining.
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Pochettino said of the incident: “I took the decision to take Leo Messi off to protect him for possible injuries.
“We have important games coming up and we want to protect him.”
Next up for PSG is a midweek trip to Metz, before taking on Montpellier at home next Saturday.