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Lionel Messi has sent the internet wild after teeing up Kylian Mbappe to score just eight seconds into Paris Saint-Germain’s clash against Lille – with the Frenchman’s rapid strike now officially the fastest in Ligue 1 history.
Messi and Mbappe’s swift link-up comes in the wake of reports claiming that there is bad blood in the PSG dressing room between the potent pair and Neymar following some controversial comments from Mbappe, who compared the quality of South American international competitions to those of Europe’s.
But the high-profile duo bore no signs of ill-will when Messi conjured up another moment of magic to send Mbappe haring through on goal straight from kick-off at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Fastest goal and fastest assist! Messi is a genius ? ? #Messi pic.twitter.com/TKkAiMIVSh
— Akin Destiny (@IamRaides) August 21, 2022
The rapid strike left the former French champions stunned – and was later officially confirmed as the fastest goal in Ligue 1 history.
Shortly after teeing up his teammate, Messi got in on the act himself when he doubled PSG’s lead in the 27th minute with a controlled first-time strike from the edge of the box after a smart cut-back from Nuno Mendes.
Achraf Hakimi added a classy third before Messi grabbed his second assist of the night when he eased the ball onto Neymar in the penalty area to enable the Brazilian striker to clinically complete PSG’s stunning first-half rout.
Messi’s sublime first-half show at Lille means the Barcelona legend has continued his fine start to the new Ligue 1 campaign after he endured a difficult maiden season in the French capital last term.
The 35-year-old was scrutinised by fans and pundits alike after netting just six league goals for PSG following his shock Barcelona exit last term – although he did also bag 14 assists.
But Messi has made an electric start to the new 2022/23 campaign, with his haul at Lille meaning the veteran has now plundered three goals and three assists in as many matches to silence some of his critics.