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ESPN staff
Lionel Messi‘s move to Paris Saint-Germain is all but complete, and it is happening in a style befitting of his status as the world’s best player.
Private jets. Crowded streets. Fans massing at the stadium. It’s all happening.
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After his emotional departure from Barcelona two days earlier, Messi traveled to Paris on Tuesday to finalize the move, which is expected to be a two-year deal — plus the option for a third — with the Ligue 1 power.
Messi is expected to be formally introduced at a news conference on Wednesday, but first came remarkable scenes in two countries as the star and his family made their move.
?? AMBIANCE EXCEPTIONNELLE ICI AU BOURGET SUITE À L’OFFICIALISATION DU TRANSFERT DE LIONEL MESSI ???? pic.twitter.com/GrFOX2VjdC
— Canal Supporters (@CanalSupporters) August 10, 2021
?? DISPOSITIF DE SÉCURITÉ IMPRESSIONNANT ? ET UNE ÉNORME FOULE A QUELQUES MINUTES DE L’ARRIVÉE DE MESSI ?? À PARIS ??#PSG #Messi #TeamPSG pic.twitter.com/Z81BkjQA7K
— Canal Supporters (@CanalSupporters) August 10, 2021
Fans filmed the police motorcade taking Messi to American Hospital in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris, for his medical assessment.
?????? EXCLU CANAL SUPPORTERS ! @CanalSupporters Lionel Messi est arrivé à l’hôpital American de Neuilly pour passer sa visite médicale !!! ?????? #PSG #Messi #MessiPSG pic.twitter.com/hHQNlBqRq2
— Canal Supporters (@CanalSupporters) August 10, 2021
The crowds were also at Parc des Princes to welcome Messi, who will join a team already loaded with stars such as Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Sergio Ramos.
PSG fans are gathered outside the Parc des Princes stadium to welcome Lionel Messi ??? pic.twitter.com/sjGjzA5F6z
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 9, 2021
Messi and wife Antonela Roccuzzo earlier took a photo aboard their private jet, but the Argentine player changed shirts to greet his new supporters.
Messi and his family are ready to begin a new adventure ??? pic.twitter.com/Z6DuTgCQDd
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 10, 2021
Wearing a shirt that says “This is Paris” in French while in Paris — in front of Parisians — seems as if it should be some kind of fashion faux pas, but then again, this is Messi.
Messi has arrived in Paris ? @ESPNFC pic.twitter.com/rmAx8azEAi
— ESPN (@espn) August 10, 2021
In dramatic fashion, Messi came to the window to meet his new devotees, and, with a wave, Paris has its newest hero.
Now can he deliver the city the Champions League title it has craved for so long? A new era has begun…