Messi joins PSG: Reunited with Ramos and backed by an NBA great - how social media reacted
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Lionel Messi is a Parisian.
If Paris St-Germain don't win the Champions League this year, they may as well stop trying.
Hot on the heels of his shock exit at Barcelona, Lionel Messi has signed a two-year contract with the French giants.
The world's greatest footballer (arguably), has only ever played for one club during his adult life. Now, at 34, he's starting a new adventure.
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Jumping ship
Even after his contract expired, there was still a lot of expectation that Messi would end up staying aboard the good ship Barca.
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Out of the frame
But there were strange scenes outside the Nou Camp on Tuesday morning as Messi's image was removed. Doesn't look right.
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Flight tiki-trackers
Every leg of Messi's journey from Barcelona to Paris on Tuesday was pursued by internet sleuths.
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It really got real when Antonela Roccuzzo, his wife, posted an image of them on board a plane.
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Excited fans gathered at the airport in Paris to see Messi arrive.
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And PSG's Ligue 1 rivals Monaco sent their top man to offer a lift.
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Unfortunately for Monaco, they were pipped to it. Eventually, Messi's arrival in the French capital was heralded, with a not-so-cryptic T-shirt.
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Separated nay-more
Neymar had already teased that he was going to be reunited with his former Barcelona team-mate on his own Instagram account.
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Ballon d'Or left open
PSG teased fans throughout the day with a number of videos including reference to the Argentine's six Ballon d'Or awards.
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Eventually, they put us all out of our misery.
Paris St-Germain have won the transfer window
Leaving aside wages (which will be substantial), so far this summer, the Ligue 1 club have now managed to lure a collection of Ballon d'Or, World Cup, Euros and Champions League winners in Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos, Lionel Messi and Gini Wijnaldum - and all for free. Nada. Zilch.
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If they can't manage to bring home their first-ever Champions League trophy with this squad, serious questions may have to be asked.
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And all this, for a club younger than Doctor Who and the entire cast of Friends. Could that be any more mind-bending?
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Frenemies
It will be interesting to see how long-time adversaries Messi and Ramos adapt to playing on the same team.
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Pochettino spoiled for choice
Mauricio Pochettino, the Paris St-Germain head coach, has suddenly found himself with a front three of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
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A reminder of what PSG are getting
Messi's CV can't really be overstated. Here's a run-down of what PSG have invested in.
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The 30 club
NBA star Steph Curry gave his seal of approval. Messi will wear the number 30 at PSG - the same number Curry wears for Golden State Warriors. It's also the number Messi wore for his Barcelona debut in 2003.
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