Messi trains with PSG for Champions League amid Barca speculation - in pictures

Parisians take on Benfica on Wednesday

Paris Saint-Germain Kylian Mbappe during a training session at Camp des Loges on October, 4, 2022, on the eve of their Champions League match against Benfica. AFP

(FromL) Paris Saint-Germain's Italian midfielder Marco Verratti, Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar and Paris Saint-Germain's Argentine forward Lionel Messi eye the ball during a training session at the club's Camp des Loges training ground in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris on October, 4, 2022, on the eve of their UEFA Champions Leage first round group H football match against Benfica. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)

Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier talks to Neymar during training on Tuesday. AFP

Kylian Mbappe during training for PSG's match against Benfica. AFP

Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi during a training session at PSG's Camp des Loges training ground. AFP

PSG train for their Champions League clash with Benfica. AFP

Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Pablo Sarabia and Sergio Ramos during training. AFP

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe during training on Tuesday. AFP

Goalkeeper Keylor Navas, Kylian Mbappe and PSG teammates during training. AFP

Pablo Sarabia, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe during training. AFP

Neymar, Lionel Messi, Keylor Navas, Kylian Mbappe and Marco Verratti train on Tuesday. AFP

Lionel Messi trained with his Paris Saint-Germain teammates on Tuesday for the Champions League clash with Benfica even as speculation continued over his future.

Messi made an unceremonious exit from Camp Nou last year after the club fell into financial turmoil. But after the Argentine great moved to Paris, murmurs of a dream return to Barcelona began.

The star forward has been excellent at PSG this season, amassing seven goals and eight assists in just 12 competitive matches.

Simultaneously, there has been talk of a possible match-up with Robert Lewandowski as Messi is out of contract with PSG at the end of the season.

However, Barca manager Xavi said he does not want to add to the speculation.

"With Leo, let's see, but it's not the moment to talk about it right now," he said.

"You know the love I have for him. He is a friend and I will always wish him the best. Barca is his home, but we're not doing him any favours speaking about [his future], either.

"Let's leave him in peace to enjoy his time in Paris and wish him all the best."

Meanwhile, Benfica and PSG will fight for the outright Group H lead on Wednesday as they both have six points.

PSG edged Nice 2-1 on Saturday with goals from Messi and Kylian Mbappe to retain a two-point lead over Marseille in the French league.