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In arguably the move of the summer, PSG acquired Barcelona legend Lionel Messi on a free transfer after the Blaugrana failed to renew their superstar's contract.
The Ligue 1 giants now have a star-studded squad with quality in virtually every area of the field, especially up front, where Messi is set to team up with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in a fearsome triumvirate.
The Argentine, arguably the best player to have graced the game, is widely expected to hit the ground running and make PSG the best team in France and Europe.
However, this is the first time Messi will turn up for a club other than Barcelona, and he has arrived at PSG without any pre-season training. That's because the player went on vacation following Argentina's Copa America 2021 triumph.
He then arrived at Barcelona hoping to have his contract renewed ahead of the new season, which didn't happen.
Messi, to his credit, will have a few PSG teammates who can take the pressure off him as he eases into his new surroundings. On that note, here's a look at the quintet that could help Messi settle down at PSG:
#5 Gianluigi Donnarumma
Gianluigi Donnarumma is one of the most exciting young goalkeepers in the game at the moment.
The 22-year-old played a stellar role in Italy's triumphant Euro 2020 campaign, keeping three clean sheets in the group stage and pulling off saves in the penalty-shootout wins over Spain in the semis and England in the final.
Before his Euro heroics, Donnarumma, playing his sixth season for AC Milan, took the Rossoneri to the Champions League for the first time in almost a decade. However, he will not make his competition debut with Milan, as PSG have acquired him on a free transfer.
Donnarumma is an instant upgrade on PSG's veteran custodian Keylor Navas, and could hit the ground running in his new surroundings, which would take the pressure off Messi and other high-profile summer arrivals at the club.
#4 Marquinhos
Marquinhos, considered one of the best centre-backs in the game at the moment, has been at PSG for close to a decade.
Although PSG have a star-studded roster, especially up front, this campaign, their defense wears a new look. This is where Marquinhos' presence would come in handy.
Still only 27, the Copa America 2021 finalist is a leader at the back and can also score upfront, which would ease the pressure on the likes of the new PSG arrivals like Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos.
#3 Marco Verratti
Marco Verratti, who was part of Italy's triumphant Euro 2020 campaign, has been at PSG for close to a decade.
Regarded as one of the finest midfielders in the game, the 28-year-old sizzled for Italy at the quadrennial tournament, and will look to continue that form in the 2021-22 season for PSG.
Still only 28, the diminutive midfielder has made close to 350 appearances in all competitions for PSG, scoring just nine times but dishing out 58 assists.
If the seven-time Ligue 1 winner rediscovers his mojo, it would allow PSG's high-profile summer arrivals like Messi to settle down before delivering the goods up front.
#2 Kylian Mbappe
Who better to take the pressure off Lionel Messi at PSG than someone up front, like Kylian Mbappe, regarded as one of the best young players in the game at the moment.
The French star may have had an underwhelming outing at Euro 2020, not producing a goal contribution and missing the decisive penalty in the Round-of-16 penalty-shootout exit against Switzerland. But Mbappe had a dazzling 2020-21 campaign for PSG.
He scored a career-best 42 goals in all competitions as the Ligue 1 giants lost out on the league by a point and were ousted in the Champions League semi-finals by Manchester City.
Still only 22, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has racked up almost 200 goal contributions (133 goals, 63 assists) in just 174 games for PSG. Mbappe has already hit the ground running in 2021-22, scoring once and assisting twice in his first league game of the season.
Despite rumors regarding his exit, Mbappe is all set to stay put at the club and strike up a riveting partnership with Neymar and Messi this season.
#1 Neymar
Neymar reportedly played a key role in bringing Lionel Messi to PSG. So the Brazilian, about to commence his fifth season with the Ligue 1 giants, is expected to play a pivotal role in making his good friend feel at home in his new surroundings.
Earlier at Barcelona, Neymar struck up a prolific partnership with Luis Suarez and Messi up front, winning two league titles and a continental treble, and scoring lots of goals.
Although Suarez is not there at PSG, Messi and Neymar, along with Mbappe, are expected to score goals galore and help the Ligue 1 giants finally conquer the Champions League frontier.
Messi, who is yet to debut for PSG, is expected to replicate his Barcelona exploits, as Ligue 1 is considered an 'easier' league than La Liga.
Neymar could help Messi make a seamless transition, as he shares an excellent relationship with the Argentinian, both on and off the field.
