Paris Saint-Germain have Lionel Messi in the starting XI but Kylian Mbappe is on the bench in Paris against Bayern Munich in the Champions League tonight.
The French and German champions meet in the first leg of their last-16 clash at the Parc des Princes.
PSG boss Christophe Galtier defined Mbappe’s hamstring issue as a “sprinter’s injury” after the weekend defeat to Monaco, which the striker missed having been forced off early against Montpellier on February 1.
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An initial three-week timeframe was stated by the club for the Frenchman’s absence, but there were suggestions he could return for the Bayern game after taking part in training on Monday. However, he Galtier has opted not to risk Mbappe and instead has named him among the substitutes.
Messi, picked up a muscle injury in last week’s defeat to Marseille and sat out the Monaco loss as Neymar was partnered up front by Hugo Ekitike.
But Galtier left the door open to the Argentine returning to the line-up as he also returned to training. He said: “[Messi] should resume training ... we will take stock at that time.”
And Messi does indeed start, partnering Neymar as PSG look to secure a positive result to take to Germany for the reverse fixture.
Elsewhere, PSG are without Renato Sanches and Nordi Mukiele due to injuries, but Marco Verratti starts despit being an injury doubt.
PSG XI: Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Ramos, Mendes, Zaire-Emery, Danilo, Verratti, Soler, Neymar, Messi
Subs: Kimpembe, Mbappe, Fabian, Bernat, Rico, Vitinha, Pembele, Bitshiabu, Gharbi, Ekitike, Letellier
