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- Lionel Messi has arrived in France and was met by an unbelievable crowd in Paris.
- Supporters shot fireworks and lined the streets at the airport and outside of the team stadium
- Click HERE for more soccer news!
With his tearful departure from Barcelona behind him, Lionel Messi arrived in France on Monday to an unbelievable, rowdy welcome. The 34-year-old soccer superstar has signed with Paris Saint-Germain and was met by thousands of fans.
He left his home in Castelldefels to head to the Barcelona airport early on Tuesday morning. Fans gathered around his home to send him off.
#Messi vient de quitter son domicile de Castelldefels pour l'aéroport de Barcelone, direction Paris, en compagnie de ses proches.#Messi just left his house in Castelldefels to Barcelona airport. Road to Paris. pic.twitter.com/SpCHR2EOul
— Florent Torchut (@FlorentTorchut) August 10, 2021
People began to gather at the Le Bourget airport in Paris hours before Messi’s arrival.
https://twitter.com/ChampionArg11/status/1425088717467828241?s=20
La rumeur d’une arrivée de Messi se relance ! Nouveau mouvement de foule à l’aéroport du Bourget. #PSG pic.twitter.com/ofZZkMfSPv
— Marc Mechenoua (@LeMechenoua) August 8, 2021
Coverage around Messi’s every move was intense and the crowd went bonkers when his plane arrived.
🚨🚨 UN JET VIENT D’ATTERRIR À L’AÉROPORT DU BOURGET 🚨🚨#PSG #TeamPSG #Messi pic.twitter.com/kLzMmjLZn2
— Canal Supporters (@CanalSupporters) August 10, 2021
Around 4pm local time, Messi poked his head from the window and greeted his new French fans for the first time.
15h52 : Messi est bien là et salue les supporters venus au Bourget. #PSG pic.twitter.com/9jJsyBZsi0
— Marc Mechenoua (@LeMechenoua) August 10, 2021
It was an absolute madhouse.
IL EST LÀ !!!! #Messi pic.twitter.com/XDyMC1Qwia
— Le Parisien | PSG (@le_Parisien_PSG) August 10, 2021
People were setting off full-blown fireworks in celebration.
🚨 Y’a énormément de monde au Bourget pour l’arrivée de Messi ! pic.twitter.com/mw4yVLv8Dk
— Media Parisien (@MediaParisien) August 10, 2021
Messi eventually left the airport to another massive reception.
La réaction des supporters au Bourget à l'apparition de Lionel Messi ! 👀 pic.twitter.com/Ms9aSeGRw2
— L'ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) August 10, 2021
Before PSG could officially announce the signing, Messi needed to undergo a medical evaluation. He received a significant police escort as he pulled into the hospital.
Paris literally stopped for Messi and gave him the royal treatment.
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 EXCLU CANAL SUPPORTERS ! @CanalSupporters Lionel Messi est arrivé à l’hôpital American de Neuilly pour passer sa visite médicale !!! 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 #PSG #Messi #MessiPSG pic.twitter.com/hHQNlBqRq2
— Canal Supporters (@CanalSupporters) August 10, 2021
When fans found out that Messi had left the airport, they took off to follow him.
Nouvelle fausse alerte..Messi semble avoir déjà quitté le Bourget. Mouvement de foule.. pic.twitter.com/6HcIIg61hr
— Le Parisien | PSG (@le_Parisien_PSG) August 10, 2021
Those who stuck around at the airport went absolutely bonkers when the transfer was made officials.
https://twitter.com/ReshadRahman_/status/1425092319091560454?s=20
Meanwhile, at PSG’s stadium in Prince-Marmottan, the entire city showed up to welcome Messi home.
https://twitter.com/1realgaby_/status/1425126845473869824?s=20
Very few people in the world could receive a welcome like Messi. He is on equal standing with Ronaldo, the Pope and maybe the royal family. Insane.