World Cup hero Lionel Messi returns to PSG training with Neymar - in pictures

Parisians lost for the first time since March against Lens on Sunday in the absence of Argentina's star in Qatar

PSG star Lionel Messi with teammate Neymar during a training session in Paris on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. All photos by Getty

Lionel Messi returned to training with PSG after winning the World Cup in Qatar for Argentina.

Lionel Messi warms up during a Paris Saint-Germain training session in France on Wednesday.

Neymar shares a laugh during Paris Saint-Germain's training session.

Marquinhos at PSG's training centre in Paris.

Vitinha passes the ball during a Paris Saint-Germain training session at PSG training center in Paris, France.

Juan Bernat warms up at PSG training's centre in Paris.

Neymar warms up during training.

Argentina's World Cup hero Lionel Messi returned to Paris to begin reintegration with Paris Saint-Germain after a well-deserved break.

Messi spent the second half of December celebrating his team's triumph in the World Cup final against France and his PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe.

Messi was in Rosario with his family and friends as he welcomed the New Year, before leaving for Paris to resume club duties.

His return to training on Wednesday will be a welcome sign for PSG, who lost for the first time in any competition since March last year when they were defeated 3-1 at Lens on Sunday.

Without Messi, and the suspended Neymar, Christophe Galtier's team suffered a heavy despite the presence of Mbappe.

After the defeat, Galtier said he was looking forward to the return of Messi but said his absence was no excuse for the defeat.

“I hope Leo will be well received. He won the most beautiful trophy by being very good. We know he's a great and decisive player so we hope he'll be well received obviously,” the manager said.

“Kylian worked had. He showed a very good attitude. Leo and Ney were not there but that is no excuse.”

Messi and other stars celebrate New Year