Messi is No.10 again! Coupe de France reshuffle sees PSG stars swap numbers as Leo claims his famous shirt
- Messi to wear iconic number
- Neymar to switch to no. 11
- Full strength lineup for French Cup clash
WHAT HAPPENED? French Cup rules require all players to wear numbers between 1-11. And with usual no. 10 Neymar agreeing to switch to no. 11, Messi will wear his iconic number in the round of 16, PSG confirmed.
🔟🐐🇦🇷
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_espanol) February 8, 2023
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Some of PSG's squad have opted to take some odd numbers, with centre-midfielder Danilo Pereira wearing No. 9, and Vitinha taking No. 7. PSG have put out an otherwise strong lineup, with Sergio Ramos also returning from injury for the contest.
The starting 1⃣1⃣ tonight! 📋🔴🔵#CoupeDeFrance I #OMPSG I #LeClassique pic.twitter.com/q3rBhGi28o
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) February 8, 2023
WHAT THEY SAID?: PSG manager Christophe Galtier admitted that it would be an emotional contest as PSG and Marseille face off on Wednesday:
"Management of your emotions comes with experience," Galtier said in a press conference. "We have already played this sort of match enough to avoid any surprises.
IN THREE PHOTOS:
WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI? The World Cup winner will hope to lead PSG to a French Cup win over a strong Marseille side.