Lionel Messi returned to training for Paris St Germain on Monday, ahead of the UEFA Champions League game against Manchester City. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has said that Messi might be fit to play the game.
The French team will host the English champions at the Parc des Princes in the second group stage matchday.
Pochettino has admitted that his star-studded team is still under construction, on the eve of Tuesday's match in Paris.
Pochettino remained evasive about who is Paris Saint-Germain's first-choice goalkeeper and whether Keylor Navas or new signing Gianluigi Donnarumma will start against City.
Up front, Pochettino hopes to have Lionel Messi back in attack as the Argentine shakes off a minor knee injury that sidelined him for two games.
ALSO READ
- PSG identify Achraf Hakimi replacement in Real Madrid-linked Liverpool superstar: Report
- Footballers and their nicknames: Ronaldo R9 'O FENOMENO' to Leo Messi 'LA PULGA', here's what they mean! Suarez, Dybala, Adriano and others
- Goncalo Ramos injury: Luis Enrique says PSG won't rush into transfer market
Messi's last goal in the Champions League came for Barcelona against PSG at Parc des Princes in last season's last-16. He had a penalty saved in that game by Navas.
Messi will come head to head with his former mentor and coach Pep Guardiola, who tried to bring Messi to City last year.
There was much speculation that Guardiola would sign Messi this summer when the player was released by Barcelona, but Messi chose to move to Paris after City expressed a lack of interest.
The Argentine featured in PSG's opening Champions League game this season, which was a disappointing 1-1 draw against Club Brugge.
Pochettino told reporters ahead of the game that there was no bad blood between Neymar and Kylian Mbappe after the two were seen arguing on the pitch against Montpellier in the weekend.
Mbappe was reportedly miffed with Neymar for not passing the ball to him during the game, but the manager said that the argument ended there.
“There are always things between top players. They are competitors who want to win and help the team achieve,” said Pochettino.
“I have spoken to them individually. They may have also spoken to each other.... If there is a small incident sometimes that can create a wave but it is actually just talk.”
(With inputs from PTI)
