Even the opposing goalie wants a piece of Lionel Messi on PSG debut

If you needed more proof that Lionel Messi is the most loved footballer on the planet, look no further than the scenes after his PSG debut.

Messi with Rajkovic's son. Photo: BeIN Sports

If you wanted to know how loved football legend Lionel Messi is around the world, you need look no further than his Ligue 1 debut with Paris Saint-Germain.

In a match against Reims, who are just outside of the relegation zone after four matches in the competition, the unbeaten PSG claimed the 2-0 result with fellow superstar Kylian Mbappe scoring a brace.

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But it couldn’t steal the spotlight from Messi, who was subbed into the game for Neymar in the 66th minute.

Messi, wearing the number 30 jersey, ran onto the field to rapturous applause and chants despite the match being an away game for PSG.

The 21,000 strong crowd had previously chanted his name during the warm up.

Few believed they’d see Messi in a non- Barca jersey. Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP

Following a teary press conference the 34-year-old left Barcelona — a team many thought he would finish his career with — but he continued to show why he is one of the most popular people in the world.

Messi has over 258 million followers on Instagram despite being notoriously quiet and private.

While the fans didn’t get a Messi goal to take away from the game, it was clear the league had already been taken by Messi fever.

So much so that after the match, Reims goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic brought his son onto the ground to get a photo with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Other players were just desperate to shake hands and share some words with the superstar.

📸Everyone wanted a piece of Lionel Messi at full-time, including his opponents! @StadeDeReims Predrag Rajkovic managed to get a cheeky snap of the @PSG_English star with his son!

📺 FULL HIGHLIGHTS from his debut - https://t.co/MpKhLoQehE | #Ligue1#SDRPSGpic.twitter.com/2w3REUPg0w

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_AUS) August 29, 2021

Reims had put up a good fight but the chances of any team in France stopping PSG this season, despite Mbappe being lined to a 180 million euro ($A291m) deal to leave the club, seem remote.

Messi is a man of the people. Photo: Instagram / rajkovic_ana

And it appears that plenty of fans in France will be eager to get a glimpse of Messi.

Lionel Messi finally made his highly anticipated PSG debut yesterday against Reims. 🙌🏾

Not only did he get a rapturous welcome from the PSG and Reims fans, the Reims players even took photos with their kids. 😂
GOAT for a reason 🐐 pic.twitter.com/WiUs9Pg4x2

— NairaBET (@NairaBET) August 30, 2021

The all-time low was Quique Sanchez Flores asking for Messi's shirt when he'd just lost 4-1 to Barcelona (as Espanyol manager, no less!) https://t.co/vT7jXM26TD

— Sam Street (@samstreetwrites) August 29, 2021

Having Messi in France is good for the league. This is hilarious and awesome. https://t.co/LPtkM6TEK1

— Ethan Budowsky (@ethanbudowsky) August 29, 2021

📸After the Reims-PSG,Reims players didn’t miss the opportunity to take photos with the new Ligue 1 Star Lionel Messi.

📸Here’s Stade de Reims goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic asking Messi to take a photo with his son #SDRPSG#PSG#Messi#Ligue1pic.twitter.com/V92Z0AVbpe

— #Premier League (@alimo_philip) August 29, 2021

Messi will hope to land his first goal in his next start when PSG host Clermont in their next match on September 11.

After that they will begin their Champions League campaign away to Club Brugge in Belgium.

— with AFP