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Messi on bench as Neymar and Mbappe start for PSG at Reims

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Lionel Messi is poised to make a brief Paris Saint-Germain debut after being left on the bench for their Ligue 1 game at Reims.

Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, the latter heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, were both included in Mauricio Pochettino's starting XI at the Stade Auguste-Delaune.

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Pochettino opted to leave Messi out of PSG's win over Brest last time out despite the former Barcelona star training with his new team-mates following his sensational exit from Camp Nou.

However, he confirmed to Amazon Prime on Sunday that Messi would at least play a cameo role against Reims.

He said: "He's [Lionel Messi] is going to be on the bench.

"He arrived late in the pre-season. He's working hard, he can have a few minutes today to start helping the team."

It remains to be seen whether Mbappe will be at PSG when the transfer window closes next week, but he will have the chance to improve his already impressive record versus Reims.

Mbappe has been involved in four of PSG's last seven goals against Reims in Ligue 1 and opened his account for the campaign against Brest, while Neymar will make his first appearance of the new season.

Though Messi's first minutes of Ligue 1 action will be eagerly anticipated, Gianluigi Donnarumma must wait for his bow after Keylor Navas was again selected ahead of the Italy goalkeeper.

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