Lionel Messi has scored in his first game as world champion and guided Paris St Germain to victory. The Argentinian scored his eighth goal of the season in the 72nd minute when the French leaders made it 2-0 (1-0) against Angers at the bottom. Like Messi, Brazilian Neymar had returned to the starting XI after his suspension from yellow-red.
Messi’s goal initially didn’t count due to an alleged offside position, but was recognized after checking the video images. Previously, Hugo Ekitike (5th) was successful for Paris, which is now the “first-round champion”.
In the table, PSG is after 18 matchdays with 47 points ahead of pursuer Lens (41), who did not get more than 2-2 (2-2) in Strasbourg.
Messi had enjoyed a two-week vacation after the World Cup final on December 18 and returned to Paris in early January. He was still missing in the cup win against third division club Chateauroux (3-1) last weekend.
