I will play here with the best, Messi said after a rousing welcome. When will he start?

A historic day for Paris, French football, and the entire football world. With these words, PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi began his press conference to welcome Lionel Messi shortly after 11 o’clock on Wednesday. The Argentine footballer spoke about the new superteam, winning trophies or his arrival on the scene.

Pure madness erupted in the French capital thanks to the arrival of one of the best players in football history. The official jerseys with his name and the number 30 were sold out half an hour after the sales started.

Then, early on Wednesday morning, crowds began to gather outside the Parc des Princes, where Lionel Messi arrived at 11am for his first official press conference as a PSG player.

He could not have started it any other way than with Barcelona, with whom he had only said a very emotional farewell on Sunday. “You all know what my departure was like. They were difficult moments for me. But now I am here and from the first minute I feel absolutely great,” he delighted the fans of the French vice-champion.

“All I want now is to start training as soon as possible and work with my new teammates,” said the six-time Ballon d’Or winner, who was already waiting for Achraf Hakimi and Georginio Wijnaldum at the hotel yesterday. He will greet the others when he visits the training centre for the first time.

“I would like to thank the club and its president for the way they have treated me from the beginning. They were really quick in the negotiations and it was actually quite an easy decision for me.”

What does the winner of 32 major club trophies see as the chances of expanding his massive collection? “I think this club is quite ready to fight for all the trophies. That’s why I came here.”

And he certainly had another big reason. By teaming up with his friend Neymar and French megastar Kylian Mbappé, he will without doubt form the best attacking trio on earth.

“It’s crazy. The whole squad here is unbelievable, plus there have been some great transfers in the summer and I can’t wait to train with everyone and of course, above all, play because I’ll be playing with the best,” Messi said.

“I know all the players in the cabinet. I have been in contact withmost of them and Neymar in particular was very important for my transfer,” added the star, who will unusually wear the number 30 jersey.

“When will I start? It’s hard to say, I was on holiday a week ago, it’s all very fresh. Maybe I will still need my own preparation. I’ll train hard to be ready as soon as I can.”

Messi also admitted that even with the best team in the world you may not win the Champions League, something he believes he knows best in Paris. “You need a team that sticks together. And that’s what we have here. But you also need luck. It’ s a very special competition and we all want to win it,” declared the Argentine, who was greeted by a massive crowd of club supporters at the Parc des Princes.

Along with him, club president Nasser al-Khelifi also appeared at the press conference and said that despite Messi’s arrival, all the rules of financial fair play are being followed. “It’s the first thing we check before negotiating a transfer! I think the media should rather focus on the positives of this signing.”

The Qatari businessman also commented on Kylian Mbappé. He said his future is bright as he wants to win: “He has publicly stated that he wants to have a competitive, ambitious team. And we have the most ambitious team in the world. There is no excuse for him now, he can do nothing but stay.”

Sources: PSG, Sky Sports