Mauricio Pochettino on Lionel Messi’s first PSG goal - 'I had to celebrate it, I am sorry!'
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 29/09/2021 at 09:51 GMT
Mauricio Pochettino hailed summer arrival Lionel Messi after the Argentine bagged his first goal in PSG colours in Group A victory against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Messi doubled the hosts lead in the 74th minute to wrap-up all three points for the French champions.
'I had to celebrate' - Pochettino delighted by Messi's debut PSG goal
It was what the 37,000 Paris Saint-Germain fans inside the Parc des Princes had patiently waited for, a glimpse of what Barcelona supporters had been fortunate enough to witness over the past 17 years: a Lionel Messi goal.
The man partly responsible for luring arguably the greatest player ever to Paris, Mauricio Pochettino, admitted he "enjoyed it a lot" as the Argentine forward helped the team to their first Champions League win this campaign.
“For many years I watched (Lionel) Messi scoring goals, always with the opposite team,” Pochettino said. “The first (goal) for our side, for my side, well I had to celebrate it, I am sorry!”
He is top class, this is nothing new.
Speaking to the club's media team, Messi labelled PSG’s first ever win over Man City as "excellent" as they moved top of Group A.
He said: “I am very happy with the result, I think that we put in an excellent performance.
“It was a very important match for us, we wanted to win, especially after the draw at (Club) Brugge. We are very happy."
Messi struck his 121st Champions League goal, and his first for PSG, on 74 minutes in typical Messi fashion.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2021/09/29/3228487-66087008-2560-1440.jpg)
PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 28: Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates with team mate Neymar after scoring their sides second goal during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City at Parc des Princes.
Image credit: Eurosport
He picked up the ball on the halfway line and drove towards the heart of the City defence with the ball glued to his left foot.
With the help of Kylian Mbappe, the pair dazzled Aymeric Laporte with a neat one-two around the defender before Messi beautifully planted the ball in Ederson’s top right-hand corner.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2021/09/29/3228393-66085133-2560-1440.jpg)
'I am in love!' - Guardiola lauds 'exceptional' Verratti after PSG win over City
“For the goal, everything went quickly,” Messi explained. “It was a counter, I played it to Kylian (Mbappe) who set it back to me first time and I was able to shoot immediately.
I am very happy with the goal, it’s my second match here at the Parc (des Princes).
“I am happy I have been able to celebrate with my teammates and all of the supporters, especially during such an important match.
“I am very happy on a personal level, but also with this result. Let’s continue like this!”
Scan me
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement