Bayern Munich center-back Dayot Upamecano last faced Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final. Upamecano featured in the entirety of the match for the France national team, and he had a front-row seat to watch the Argentine forward score two goals and create three goal-scoring chances for teammates in the contest.
Upamecano is slated to once again meet Messi in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. For the France international, he is well aware that he will be in for quite a challenge against Messi and the rest of PSG’s star-studded attack.
“Messi is an absolutely exceptional player — whether he’s playing for Argentina or Paris,” Upamecano told Bayern Munich’s official website. “And we shouldn’t just be ready for him: PSG are a world-class team with quick attacking players.
“We’ll prepare thoroughly and even in training we need maximum concentration, because mental strength will also play a role in who progresses. We must defend as a group and always have the right answers to hand.”
Messi missed PSG’s Ligue 1 away fixture against AS Monaco on matchday 23 due to a minor hamstring injury. He was included in PSG’s squad list for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, and he is expected to play against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.
Messi has scored a combined 14 goals in the Champions League and Ligue 1 competitions so far this season.
