Messi marks first anniversary of Barca exit with bicycle kick goal as PSG take down Clermont
FT Desk
- Updated: 6 Aug 2022 23:04 BST
- 4 min read
Paris Saint-Germain ace Lionel Messi is seemingly determined to make sure his second season at Parc des Princes far outstrips the first, if the opening games of 2022-23 are anything to go by.
On August 4, 2021, the Argentine shocked the football world by leaving Barcelona for PSG on a free transfer.
It appeared to be the French side's final step towards creating a dream team, with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar already present in their star-studded forward line; but Messi suffered a rare off-year, at least by his standards, netting just six Ligue 1 goals and failing to steer the side through their Champions League collapse at the hands of Real Madrid in the last 16.
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It should be said that while the Argentine was far from prolific in his maiden campaign he was still plenty involved, as demonstrated by the 14 assists he contributed to go alongside that slim goal return.
But as he passes the first anniversary of that blockbuster move he appears determined to silence any doubters who might say he has lost his touch in front of the net.
The Messi and Neymar show
Messi showed off the entire range of his otherworldly talents on Saturday as PSG thrashed Clermont 5-0 to begin their Ligue 1 defence with a bang.
He scored two goals, including a spectacular bicycle kick, and also laid on an assist for attacking partner Neymar to open the rout after just nine minutes, with the Brazilian also recording a brace in the match.
Messi 🤝 Neymar 💥 Goal
Good work down the left as Serabia's cutback is flicked on by Messi to find Neymar who finds the bottom corner 🔥
PSG of the mark 🏎️ pic.twitter.com/8ryJTDTsEC— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 6, 2022
Neymar and Messi find each other again! 🤝
Neymar helps Messi open his Ligue 1 account for the season ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/rqcx1QiIvP— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 6, 2022
The Brazilian, another of PSG's stars whose place in the team has come under question, returned the favour late on for Messi's first strike, one of three assists he recorded in a similarly stunning performance.
Messi's double, coupled with the goal he notched during last weekend's Trophee de Champions victory over Nantes, takes him to three in two games so far in 2022-23, halfway to his total domestic tally in France across the entirety of last season.
Just how long he will stay at Parc des Princes is as of yet unclear, with his current contract due to expire in June 2023 - while Barca president Joan Laporta has publicly voiced his hopes of a reunion at Camp Nou before the great hangs up his boots.
"It is an aspiration that I have as president and I would like it to happen, [as] I have been jointly responsible for that end which I consider provisional," Laporta said.
"Messi's time at Barcelona didn't end the way we all wanted it to. It ended very much conditioned by economic reasons and we have a moral debt.
"In that sense, we would like the end of his career to be on a Barcelona shirt and applauded at all grounds where he goes."
