JAKARTA - Paris St. Germain kicked off the new Ligue 1 season with a 2-1 win over promoted side Troyes on Sunday 8 August, while anticipating the arrival of six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, who looks set to join the French giants.
According to Antara, Messi will hold a press conference on Sunday at 5pm CEST after Barcelona said earlier this week that the 34-year-old Argentine would be leaving the Spanish club.
French daily L'Equipe reported on Friday that Messi would join Paris St Germain and the club's manager, Argentine Mauricio Pochettino said his compatriot was "an option being evaluated."
Barcelona president Joan Laporta admits he was forced to part with Messi because his high salary coupled with La Liga's stringent financial rules could jeopardize the club's future.
The speculation caught PSG's attention early in the game against Troyes who took a surprising lead in the ninth minute when Oualid El Hajjam beat goalkeeper Kaylor Navas with a powerful header down the road that followed Dylan Chambost's corner.
But the visitors, who were forced to hand over the French league title to Lille last season, hit back with two quick goals when new signing Achraf Hakimi equalized in the 19th minute before Mauro Icardi turned it around in the 21st.
Hakimi, who joined PSG from Inter Milan last summer, volleyed in from a tight angle before Icardi found the net with the outside of his foot thanks to Kylian Mbappe's stunning effort.
Mbappe himself came close twice in the second half with one of his shots sent off and the other over the bar before PSG were forced to defend at the last minute.
Meanwhile Olympique Lyonnais were held to a 1-1 draw by Brest after substitute Islam Slimani scored with his first touch to cancel out the visitors' opener from Irvin Cardona.
Lille just started their title defense against hosts Metz today, while Olympique Marseille travel to Montpellier, Reuters reports.
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