QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Bianca QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune Andreescu makes a winning return in Montreal page 14 THURSday, AUGUST 12, 2021 Messi sets new goals, targets more Champions League glory with PSG

DPA is dreaming I feel this club is of winning the Champions ready to fight for all League again as he starts a new and unexpected chapter the trophies. This is in his career with Paris St- my goal, I want to Germain. keep growing and Securing an elusive first triumph in Europe’s elite club keep winning titles competition will be the imme- and that is why I diate target for the Argentina came to this club. forward, who has won it four times with Barcelona, and his Lionel Messi expensively assembled team- mates in a side which finished second in last season. However, president Nasser Al Khelaifi also hopes his mar- quee signing will have a long- er-term impact by persuading the in-demand Kylian Mbappe to stay, with the 22-year-old international in the fi- nal 11 months of his contract. Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi salutes supporters gathered outside the Parc des “I feel this club is ready to Princes after his first official press conference as PSG player in Paris on Wednesday.( AFP) fight for all the trophies. This is my goal, I want to keep grow- ing and keep winning titles and that is why I came to this club,” Messi, who has signed a two-year deal with the option Shirt No. 30 for a new of a third, told a press confer- ence at the Parc de Princes on Wednesday. beginning, says Messi “I can help by giving it my all. I’ll say this: my dream is to once again lift the Champions Tribune News Network for three days although they ceive everywhere, as I see this League trophy. were not sure that I would be love everywhere I go. “I love to win. I want to Superstar Lionel Messi has here, as nothing was signed have important goals. I know chosen shirt number 30 for Par- yet. This is my first experience About Paris as a city that my goals and PSG’s goals is Saint-Germain (PSG) as a sign outside Barcelona, where​​ I I visited Paris twice with An- are the same and want to be of a new start. Expalining the spent all those long years, and tonella, the children, and the bigger and bigger. choice, the Argentinian in an in- to start in this way is amazing, family, but as tourists. But my “I will give my best to Paris Saint-Germain’s President Nasser Al Khelaifi poses alongside Argentinian football player Lionel Messi terview with beIN SPORTS said, and it helps me a lot and helps friends here, such as such as achieve these goals. I am really as he holds-up his number 30 shirt while standing on the pitch during a press conference at the French “That was my first shirt number my family as well. The fact is Di Maria, Paredes and Neymar, impatient, I still want to win, football club Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on Wednesday. (AFP) with Barcelona, ​​when I started that I enjoyed the celebrations also told me some things to as I did the first moment of my playing in my ear l y years, and yesterday and today, but I also give me and my family a better career.” “I hope Leo won’t ask for was a kid. I still feel like this for more than 20 years, the this is a new beginning for me want this atmosphere to end so idea about the​​ city. Al Khelaifi believes Messi’s more salary,” he said. “We talk kid. I will give my best to diminutive forward has al- and I liked to start with the shirt that I can start training. arrival sends an important to financial and legal people, achieve these goals,” he said. ready considered the prospect No. 30 as well.” On the challenge that awaits message both externally and you see we sign Lionel Messi “I love to win. I want to of having to face Barcelona if On the love he receives from him internally, effectively telling - that means we can sign him. have important goals. I know PSG are drawn against them He also spoke on PSG and the fans Of course, it’s the place I came Mbappe to sign a new contract. “What you as a media need that my goals and PSG’s goals in the Champions League. city of Paris. Excerpts: I think it’s a combination of to, and the team that Paris “He (Mbappe) wanted a to focus on is not only the neg- are the same and want to be “Barcelona is my home, everything, the way I play on the Saint-Germain has is among the competitive team and I think ative side but the positive side bigger and bigger.” I have been there since I was ON the reception from PSG pitch, the way I treat everyone, best in the world, and this is my we have the most competi- he will bring to the club. Messi’s departure from a kid and I’ve lived so many fans as I always try to behave with goal as well. For a long time, I tive in the world so there is no “Through it all we look at Barcelona, announced on things there,” he said. I am very happy to be here and respect. It’s what I grew up with, have said that my goal is to win excuse for him now, he can’t Financial Fair Play and always Thursday, and the confirma- “I don’t know if we are to receive such a reception from and I think that’s what people the Champions League again, do anything else but stay,” he we will fulfil Financial Fair tion of his arrival at PSG on going to face each other – it the great PSG fans. The fans see on TV, and I’m so grateful and I came to the perfect place said. Play regulations.” For Messi, Tuesday was a whirlwind pe- would be very to go back have been here in the stadium for all the feelings of love I re- to achieve that. Al Khelaifi, chairman of however, the focus is all on riod which the 34-year-old ad- to Barcelona. PSG’s ownership group Qatari football. mits was a “very hard moment “It will be very strange to Sports Investments, defended “What I can say today is after so many years.” play at home there in Barce- the club’s continued massive that I have the same will and Such is his association lona with another shirt but it spending. same enthusiasm as when I with the Catalan city, his home can happen and we will see.” Nasser Al Khelaifi expects Messi to bring ‘a lot of trophies’ to PSG

Agencies was a great desire on both sides Paris to make this happen. This is just the start as the hard work Nasser Al Khelaifi, President will start now, on the pitch and of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) off the pitch, but most impor- club expects Lionel Messi to tant the person next to me has win “a lot of trophies” for PSG won a lot of trophies and I’m after the Argentina captain sure he will bring a lot more was unveiled at the Parc des trophies to this club.” Princes on a “historic” day for Later in an interview with A man poses wearing a jersey of PSG’s forward Lionel Messi in front of a large banner reading ‘Welcome Leo the Ligue 1 club. beIN SPORTS, Al Khelaifi Messi’ on a wall of the Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on Wednesday. (AFP) PSG confirmed the signing said, “In the last 48 hours, we of mercurial forward Messi on have received very high value a two-year deal on Tuesday, contract offers from many ex- with the option of a further ternal companies, praise be PSG dedicate Ligue 1 title to frontline workers year. to Allah, signing Messi was a After being declared as the line whose commitment and Al Khelaifi also said he is grate- The six-time Ballon d’Or right choice, as he will bring a Ligue 1 champions, Paris Saint- self-sacrifice over many weeks ful to all the supporters of the winner left Barcelona as the lot with him into the stadium Germain (PSG) on Thursday have earned our deepest admi- club and will celebrate the title LaLiga giants were unable to and outside it. dedicated the title to all the ration. We understand, respect with the PSG family when the afford to keep the 34-year-old. “Messi had many offers healthcare staff and front-line and support the decisions taken conditions will allow. Messi scored 672 times in Paris Saint-Germain’s Qatari President Nasser Al Khelaifi (L) Argentin- that were more than what PSG professionals working relent- by the French Government to “In these difficult times, I hope 778 appearances for the Blau- ian football player Lionel Messi attend a press conference during the offered him, but Messi chose lessly to fight against the coro- end the championship,” the that this trophy will bring a little grana, winning the Champi- player’s official unveiling at the French football club Paris Saint-Ger- PSG and PSG chose Messi. navirus pandemic. club’s official website quoted happiness and hope to all our ons League four times and main’s (PSG) Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on Wednesday. (AFP) Messi expressed how he was Paris Saint-Germain Chairman Al Khelaifi as saying. supporters, and I am grateful claiming 10 LaLiga titles. more interested in winning the and CEO Nasser Al Khelaifi “Health, as the government has to them for their unwavering Al Khelaifi believes he will world and is a fantastic mo- tried to achieve. leagues and championships, expressed his “deepest admira- always said, must be everyone’s support which helps drive Paris add many more honours at ment for us,” Al Khelaifi said “We have a big ambition, and breaking ’s tion” for the everyday heroes priority. I would like to thank the Saint-Germain forward,” he said. PSG, declaring the signing of as thousands of fans gathered a football project. We are very world record. working on the front line to players, the coach, the technical “I would also like to also thank Messi to be “just the start”. outside the stadium to wel- proud of where we are today. “Our goal and path is clear, combat COVID-19. and medical staff as well as all all our partners for their loyalty “I am very happy and come their new hero. There is no secret this agree- which is to win until we reach “We would like to dedicate this the club’s employees for their throughout, and I look forward to proud to present Lionel Messi “It will be very exciting for ment is with this best player in the highest of leagues, and 2019-2020 Ligue 1 title to tremendous work. This trophy being able to celebrate this title as PSG player. It is an historic our fans and fans worldwide. the world.” to eventually win the UEFA healthcare staff and to all the is a reward for their hard work with all the PSG family when the day for the club and football It is amazing what we have Al Khelaifi added: “There Champions League”. everyday heroes on the front every day,” he added. conditions allow,” he added.