He arrived as an up-and-coming youngster in a dressing room brimming with stars. Imagine what it must have felt for the 20-year-old Hugo Ekitike to enter Paris Saint-Germain’s training centre and see the greatness of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and other PSG stars from up close. But the youngster, who arrived from Reims on loan with an option to buy, wasn’t scared. In fact, the team leaders Mbappe and Messi took him under their wing and made him feel welcome. Messi even nicknamed him the Iron Rod because of his height and strong physique despite his seemingly slender body. from: visiting Messi’s Ballon d’Ors.to: getting his first start with PSG alongside Leo. Hugo Ekitike 💎🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/mfdcXojSaG— PSGhub (@PSGhub) September 30, 2022 When Ekitike first stepped into the PSG dressing room, Mbappe is said to be quick to welcome him with a joking remark of “Oh Ekitike, what are you doing here?”. It broke the ice immediately, making the youngster one of the boys in no time.But tonight, Ekitike has to show that he hasn’t joined the Champions just to joke around but to score goals. According to PSG coach Christophe Galtier, tonight’s Ligue 1 match against Nice will be Ekitike’s first competitive start for the Saints.”He is a player with incredible potential. He is learning the high level he needs to reach. He had to find his bearings and connect with our offensive players. He is progressing well and is working hard in every training session.”##NAJAVA_MECA_6685847##Ekitike had to be patient during his first weeks, which is not the main quality of a 20-year-old arriving in a club the size of PSG. Obviously frustrated at not being able to express himself, the Frenchman does not hide his impatience. He’s keen to show why he’s considered one of the best young forwards in the country. Ekitike is set to line up alongside Messi and Neymar, having made five league appearances so far this campaign without finding the net yet. Mbappe, who started and played in most of France’s two Nations League fixtures over the past international break, will be rested ahead of PSG’s busy schedule. They will play eight games in October.Among the absentees for PSG, Presnel Kimpembe is still recovering from a hamstring injury in a Qatar clinic, while Marco Verratti is suspended.🚨 | Hugo Ekitike should get his first start this Saturday against OGC Nice ✅🇫🇷Kylian Mbappé could start on the bench 🤝📲 RMC Sport pic.twitter.com/OX879gev1C— DANI APP (@danielflow340) September 30, 2022 The visitors could field Aaron Ramsey after the former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder returned to the squad following his hamstring injury. However, Joe Bryan and Hicham Boudaoui are still struggling with fitness, and Jean-Clair Todibo is suspended.LIGUE 1 – ROUND 9FridayAngers – Olympique de Marseille 0-3 (0-1)/Clauss 35, Suarez 50, Gerson 59/Saturday18:00: (3.05) Strasbourg (3.35) Rennes (2.50)22:00: (1.20) PSG (8.00) Nice (14.0)Sunday14:00: (3.00) Lorient (3.40) Lille (2.50)16:00: (2.55) Troyes (3.30) Reims (3.00)16:00: (2.35) Ajaccio (3.10) Clermont (3.60)16:00: (2.85) Auxerre (3.35) Brest (2.70)16:00: (2.09) Toulouse (3.60) Montpellier (3.80)18:05: (1.63) Monaco (4.10) Nantes (6.25)21:45: (2.70) Lens (3.40) Olympique Lyon (2.80)***odds are subject to change***
