Lionel Messi is barred from displaying the World Cup trophy as he lifts PSG in his first return leg

Lionel Messi has returned for Paris Saint Germain after missing out on football for the past three and a half weeks following a remarkable World Cup win over France on December 18 at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

Messi has been granted a two-week furlough extension as part of his celebrations with the national team and after a long wait for his availability, PSG have finally found the service as the little wizard is back in the team and back in the goalscoring charts.

things you like to see.#PSGSCO pic.twitter.com/XR1pT1eHdx

— Paris Saint Germain (@PSG_English) January 11, 2023

Messi scored the decisive goal in the 72nd minute after receiving a superbly designed pass from Nordi Mukiele as PSG beat Angers 2-0 in a Ligue 1 game at the Parc des Princes.

According to French publication Le Parisien, the greatest of all time wanted to present the World Cup trophy as a heroic symbol of his return, but Paris Saint Germain management decided against it.

The club hierarchy was extremely worried about the consequences because Argentina beat France in the World Cup final and reminding the fans of the suffering endured would have sparked a conflict among them, even though Messi is one of them.

PSG coach Christophe Galtier on Messi: “We saw what is surely the best player in the world again. He really wanted to play, he prepared well and obviously a lot changes when Leo is on the pitch. He’s calmer after winning the trophy that he’s missing.”pic.twitter.com/u1pnQ1fdqq

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) January 11, 2023

When Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez brutally taunted Kylian Mbappe alongside Lionel Messi during the trophy parade in Argentina, the aftermath of the World Cup didn’t sit well with fans and these mixed issues sparked anger among France’s supporters.

Messi will be out of contract at the end of the season and surely he still has a few years left after playing so brilliantly all season that PSG will be hoping for a contract extension with the seven-time Ballon D’or winner. and they are optimistic.

Post-match press conference Paris Saint-Germain – Angers SCO 🔴🔵

— Paris Saint Germain (@PSG_English) January 11, 2023

Referred to on the matter at the post-match press conference, PSG boss Christophe Galtier told reporters: “There are talks, the sporting directors have exchanged views with Leo about an extension. I do not know where it is. Leo seems happy to me in Paris. After that, you need to see his position in relation to the club’s project. It’s a subject I don’t discuss with him.”

PSG sit six points clear at the top of the table after nearest rivals Lens dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Strasbourg and the Galtier side will be wide-eyed in the tournaments to come.