PSG trimmed in Champions League betting after completing Messi deal

The Champions League plunge on Paris Saint-Germain showed no sign of easing on Wednesday as Lionel Messi was unveiled at the Parc des Princes.

Mauricio Pochettino's side were 12-1 to win their first Champions League the day after Chelsea claimed last season's competition, but they are as short as 11-4 after confirmation that the Argentinian superstar has joined on a two-year deal.

Messi's 21-year stay at Barcelona ended when the Spanish giants had to sacrifice their greatest player so they could comply with La Liga salary regulations.

And bookmakers believe he could be the missing piece of the Parisians' jigsaw as they seek an elusive Champions League title, even though the last of the 34-year-old's four successes in the competition came in 2015.

The French club were knocked out of the semi-finals by Manchester City last season and were beaten in the 2020 final by Bayern Munich.

PSG are 3-1 to finally get their hands on the trophy with Betfred, with this season's final due to be played at the Krestovsky Stadium in St Petersburg.

Meanwhile, Barcelona's Champions League odds have slipped to 20-1 for continental glory this season and Manchester City are 7-2 to chalk up their first triumph.

Messi scored 672 goals in 778 appearances for Barca and he is 6-4 with Betfair and Paddy Power to be the top goalscorer in Ligue 1 this season.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner could make his debut against Strasbourg on Saturday and bet365 go 10-1 that he will score 40 or more league goals this term.

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