His first goal was a header from an Angel di Maria cross and for his second he swept home Achraf Hakimi’s cross.

But the headlines will be about 34-year-old Messi, who came on moments after that second goal.

Tickets for the game were being resold for about 6,000 euros after Reims sold over 20,000 tickets for the Stade Auguste-Delaune match. Before Messi’s signing only about 6,000 had been sold.

Their purchasers may have been disappointed to see Messi only named on the bench – although he got an ovation as he warmed up, with fans chanting his name, and an even bigger one when he came on.

He played some nice passes and was involved in good link-up play, drawing several fouls. However he had few touches in the penalty area and no shooting opportunities.

Messi had missed the first few games for PSG since his free transfer move following his exit from Barcelona. This was his first game since winning the Copa America with Argentina in July.

He joined Barcelona as a 13-year-old and scored a record 672 goals in 778 games for the club.

He has won six Ballons d’Or – also a record – and is considered one of the greatest footballers ever.