MESSI TO BE RESTED FOR PSG’S FRENCH CUP MATCH AT CHATEAUROUX

Lionel Messi will be rested for Paris St Germain’s French Cup game against Chateauroux on Thursday, as the Argentine striker requires more time to recover following his World Cup-winning campaign, according to coach Christophe Galtier.

Messi, who won the World Cup on December 18 at Qatar’s Lusail stadium, participated in training over the last few days, but Galtier indicated he needed a little more time to be ready to play competitively.

“He’s had an incredible World Cup. He had obligations, going back to his country for the holidays, and we wanted him to heal back home with his family,” Galtier said ahead of Friday’s round of 64 trip to Chateauroux.

“He is not going to play tomorrow. We discussed it with him, and we want him to be ready for the next game (in Ligue 1) against Angers.”

PSG, who suffered their first competitive setback of the season last Sunday when they were defeated 3-1 at second-placed RC Lens, will be without their offensive three.

France forward Kylian Mbappe was given a break and traveled to New York with friend and teammate Achraf Hakimi, while Neymar skipped training on Thursday.

“We anticipated absences following the World Cup. “Neymar’s absence from training was scheduled after all players were evaluated upon their return from the World Cup,” Galtier explained.

“We concluded with the medical staff that Neymar, with everything he has undergone with his ankle condition (in Qatar), required time. He’s not going to play tomorrow.”

Galtier, on the other hand, insisted on fielding a “very competitive team,” with Costa Rica keeper Keylor Navas starting in place of Gianluigi Donnarumma as PSG attempt to put their RC Lens loss behind them.

“There was disappointment, irritation, and occasionally rage,” Galtier said. “But we want to bounce back with an important game since the Cup is one of the club’s main goals.” Galtier won the Cup twice as an assistant coach with Sochaux and Olympique Lyonnais.

“Getting right back into it is the best way to get rid of the frustration.”

PSG will also be without suspended midfielder Marco Verratti.