When is Lionel Messi next match? PSG, Argentina schedule for upcoming games in 2022, 2023
Lionel Messi is finally world champion.
The man considered by many to be the greatest player of all time is now looking to refocus his efforts to bring PSG their first Champions League title, returning to the French club with renewed vigour.
Now that the World Cup break is over, PSG will hope to advance to a Ligue 1 title and European glory. Messi figures as a key part of this push, as he teams up with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe to see the French giants reach new heights.
The Sporting News brings you a comprehensive look at Messi’s European exploits to come for the remainder of the 2022/23 campaign, as well as his future with the Argentina national team now that he has brought the nation a third Cup title of the world.
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When is the next PSG match?
Lionel Messi’s club Paris Saint-Germain returned to Ligue 1 action on December 28, a week after the World Cup final at home in Strasbourg. Messi wasn’t involved in that match, but he posted a picture on Instagram to show he was watching the action on TV. It turned out to be an eventful game, with Mbappe scoring an added-time penalty to seal a 2-1 victory after Neymar was sent off earlier following a second yellow card for diving.
🎯 @KMbappe’s winning goal! #PSGRCSA pic.twitter.com/1kPgpGxCJF
– Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) December 30, 2022
They have a quick turnaround for their next game, with a New Year’s game on the road against second-placed Lens. Christophe Galtier has confirmed that Messi won’t be involved in this game either, nor will he be ready for PSG’s Coupe de France game at Chateauroux on January 6.
Galtier said Messi will return to training for PSG in the first week of January, meaning he will likely return on January 11 against Angers in the league, or a few days later on January 15 against Stade Rennes.
PSG entered the World Cup break top of the French table by five points over Lens, and that gap was extended to seven points after a 0-0 draw for Franck Haise’s side in Nice.
PSG schedule, matches Date Competition Match Sun 1 Jan Ligue 1 @ Lens Fri 6 Jan Coupe de France @ Châteauroux Wed 11 Jan Ligue 1 vs Angers Sun 15 Jan 29 Ligue 1 vs Reims When Lionel Messi will play does he then?
Messi played all 690 minutes for Argentina at the FIFA World Cup and was given a break before returning to the pitch with PSG. Having gone deeper into the tournament, playing in the final alongside club teammate Mbappe, Messi probably needed some rest to keep his body from breaking down.
Players with major international minutes often earn an extended break after summer tournaments, sometimes even taking the first games of the season as they get back to full fitness. While that situation isn’t quite the same without a pre-season to navigate, he could still have time on the sidelines to recover from the World Cup grind.
Messi is now 35, and while he’s enjoyed a generally healthy state of health throughout his career, PSG may wish to be careful with him, knowing that his availability will be key to any deep push in Champions League.
PSG will miss Messi for the critical game against second-placed Lens on New Year’s Day, with Neymar also out through suspension. Now they can hope he returns for the January 11 game against Angers, or January 15 against third-placed Rennes. PSG have a two-week break in the second half of January and may even wait to bring Messi back until then to give him complete rest.
How to watch Ligue 1 and Lionel Messi’s PSG matches In the UK: Subscribers can watch Ligue 1 via BT Sports, either via TV channels, online or via the BT Sports app. In the USA: beIN Sports and beIN Sports Espanol have exclusive rights to Ligue 1. Matches can be streamed on BeIN Sports Connect. It’s also available through FuboTV, which offers a free trial to new users. In Canada: beIN Sports owns the exclusive rights to Ligue 1, and it is broadcast on BeIN Sports Connect. It’s also available through FuboTV, which offers a free trial to new users. In Australia: Viewers can watch via beIN Sports or stream matches via Kayo Sports. When is the next game against Argentina?
Argentina is yet to release a 2023 match schedule.
There was speculation that Lionel Messi would retire after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but for now Messi says he will continue playing for his country.
“I’m not retiring from the national team,” Messi said after the final. “I want to continue playing as a champion.”
Still, that retirement could come soon, as Messi has confirmed that 2022 will be his last World Cup, and Argentina should chart a course without him in time to prepare for 2026.
“It’s my last World Cup,” Messi said after the semi-final win over Croatia. “It’s impressive to end up playing a final. There’s a long way to go for the next one, many years ago and surely because of age I won’t make it.”
Lionel Messi 2022/23 stats
After a difficult first season at PSG, Lionel Messi is experiencing a revival in club and selection.
‘The Flea’ won the World Cup with Argentina and is also having an outstanding season with PSG in Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
Statistics below updated as of Friday, December 30:
Lionel Messi’s stats for PSG Competitive matches Goals Assists Minutes Ligue 1 13 7 10 1,132 UEFA Champions League 5 4 4 435 Coupe de France — — — — Trophée des Champions 1 1 0 90 TOTALS 19 12 14 1,657 Lionel Messi for Argentina Competitive Matches Goals Assists Min FIFA World Cup 7 7 3 690 Finalissima 1 0 2 90 International Friendlies 2 3 1 124 TOTALS 10 10 6 904