PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino spoke to the media after PSG's 0-2 victory at Reims, which marked Messi's first appearance in Ligue 1. The Argentine, who had already said in the post-game that Mbappé was a PSG player and that Leonardo and Al Khelaïfi's position was clear, he reiterated the same minutes later at the press conference.
The victory: “It was an important match. We kept a clean sheet as we were conceding quite a few goals. Many players who have arrived later who have to level. The three points put them in a good situation with two weeks ahead of the international break. It was important to arrive with this feeling of victory ”.
Messi: “Happy for Messi's debut, even though it's Messi, it's important to have a good debut and a good victory. The truth is that I have seen him very well, happy, integrated into the group and that he can already help the team to achieve results like today ”.
Messi substitution: “Common sense simply.”
The songs to Messi: “It is important to see the appreciation of the press, especially from our fans, but also from Reims. It's something that Messi has earned and I'm sure they value it a lot ”.
More from Messi: “Messi's motivation to compete is still there. Leo has a trajectory, an energy and a personality that infects that optimism and those energies. The truth is that adaptation and coexistence are being very good in the team ”.
If it was Mbappé's last game: “The president has already spoken and the sports director has already spoken. I have nothing to say about that topic ”.
Previously, before the cameras of Amazon Prime, he was more eloquent when talking about the double-fighter of the night: “Mbappé is our player, you know that the football industry is always full of rumors. Our president and Leonardo have been clear. He is with us. I am very happy with him, he is one of the best players in the world.”