Lionel Messi struck the 800th goal of his remarkable career and lifted the World Cup trophy one more time in Buenos Aires, telling all of Argentina to enjoy this footballing prosperity while it lasts.

His landmark strike came in a 2-0 friendly win against Panama on Thursday at El Monumental, as Argentina played their first game since triumphing at Qatar 2022.

They showed off their World Cup spoils after the final whistle, with Messi addressing the crowd and saying it was a moment he had dreamt of throughout his life.

Messi, who turns 36 in June, delivered another inspired performance for his country, hitting the crossbar with two free kicks before sending another into the top corner in the 89th minute.

That brought up the 800 for club and country and sealed Argentina's win, after Thiago Almada bagged the opener in the 78th minute. It was also Messi's 99th goal for Argentina.

With a microphone in his right hand, and his left placed on the trophy, Messi told the crowd: "I want to thank you for all the love we are receiving, not just for winning the World Cup but from before, when we won the Copa America.

"I always dreamed of this moment, being able to celebrate with you in this country. Let's enjoy it because we spent a long time to win it, and because you don't know how long it will take until we win it again. Let's enjoy the third star."

Paris Saint-Germain's former Barcelona star won the Golden Ball at the World Cup for his efforts in captaining Argentina to glory. That is the trophy awarded to the player of the tournament.

Argentina won the World Cup previously in 1978 and 1986, with a 36-year wait coming to an end when La Albiceleste beat France on penalties in the December 18 final, after a 3-3 draw.

Messi will almost certainly have retired from international duty by the time the next World Cup rolls around in 2026, marking the end of a storied era.

He was keen to spread the latest acclaim throughout the Argentina ranks.

"I know that today is our day, but I don't want to forget all those colleagues I had before, who also did everything possible to get this one, and unfortunately it didn't happen to us, we were very close," he said. "They also deserve respect and recognition.

"We were going to do everything we could for this. I always dreamed of this moment, being able to come to my country and lift the World Cup. It was shown that it is very difficult to achieve this, it depends on many things. Sometimes due to small details it gets away from you.”

Another week, another landmark for Lionel Messi as the Argentina superstar scored his 800th career goal in Thursday's friendly against Panama.

It's been an almighty journey for the all-time great, who has basically won everything on offer and claimed a record haul of seven Ballons d'Or along the way.

The player regarded by many as the greatest ever, Messi reached his latest milestone with a picture-perfect free kick in the 89th minute against Panama, curling one into the top corner after crashing two prior free kicks into the crossbar.

Although Messi hits new landmarks so frequently, at the age of 35 he is approaching a point where such achievements will become a little rarer.

With that in mind, it's worth celebrating Messi and his feats while we still can – therefore, Stats Perform has delved into the Opta data behind his latest accomplishment.

On the receiving end

It's nearly 18 years since Messi's first goal in professional football. Then a floppy-haired 17-year-old, he latched on to a Ronaldinho pass before lifting a clever lob over Albacete goalkeeper Raul Valbuena on May 1, 2005.

That goal has since become famous given its significance in marking the arrival of Messi – it also left a mark on the career of Valbuena.

"The press calls me every time he's broken a record or achieved something important, especially press from Catalonia," he told Marca nine years later. "To me, it's a funny anecdote in my career as a goalkeeper."

Well, it's all right for some. Many goalkeepers have had to contend with Messi smashing past them a few more times than Valbuena's single concession.

In total, 232 goalkeepers had let in a goal against Messi before Thursday. No one conceded more than Diego Alves, however, with the Brazilian beaten 21 times. Iker Casillas is a close second (19).

Returning the favour

Of course, over his career Messi has also become synonymous with creativity, routinely setting up goals for his team-mates.

But, given how many he's scored, he's also had to benefit from plenty of service from his colleagues as well – when he's not doing it all himself.

There are several players with whom he's struck up particularly effective on-pitch relationships.

For years, his combination with Dani Alves was unrivalled, the Brazilian setting up 42 of Messi's goals, but then along came Luis Suarez.

Suarez, Messi and Neymar were a revered and feared front three, their understanding on the pitch so deadly. The Uruguayan ended up assisting 47 goals for Messi across their six years together, with no one else teeing him up more often.

Messi also has his favourite clubs to score against. Impressively, Real Madrid (26) are right up there – but there are four teams he has punished more.

Athletic Bilbao (29), Valencia (31) and Atletico Madrid (32) all struggled against him, but if there has been one team who have resembled lambs to the slaughter when facing Messi, it's Sevilla (38).

Heights few have reached

The world of football numbers can be a little muddy. What constitutes an official goal? What's an official competition?

As such, there has been lots of confusion regarding the 'official' goals hauls of players down the years – we're looking at you, Pele and Romario.

The International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) considers Cristiano Ronaldo to be the world record holder, stating in December 2021 that the Portugal forward was the first player to reach 800 official career goals.

This makes Messi the second to reach that figure, with Opta corroborating his career record. There remains a possibility he will eventually reach 1,000. No one is expecting him to get there soon, though.

After all, as good as he remains, achievements like scoring 91 times in a calendar year – as he managed in 2012 – appear to be beyond him these days.

That was his best ever year, which – perhaps unsurprisingly – coincided with his most prolific season (2011-12), when he scored 82 goals.

Still, the 35 goals he plundered in 2022 wasn't a bad return, especially given that haul included seven en route to World Cup success with Argentina.

Still to come?

There aren't many records at Barcelona that don't already belong to Messi. Top scorer? Done. Most appearances? Completed it. The most-photographed person at Camp Nou? Probably.

It seems unlikely Messi will be around at PSG long enough to have the same kind of impact there, but he certainly still has career targets in sight.

There's the aforementioned 1,000 goals landmark, though before then he will have his eyes on more international achievements.

Messi's free kick to seal Thursday's 2-0 win left him just one from reaching 100 with Argentina, and after that he'll perhaps have designs on usurping both Ali Daei (109) and Ronaldo (120), the two highest-scoring players in men's international football.

Similarly, with Ronaldo now out of the way in Saudi Arabia, Messi could also take his record for the most Champions League goals (140) – Messi is on 129.

But regardless of what else he does or doesn't go on to achieve, Thursday's milestone is just another reminder of how fortunate we've been to witness Messi's truly remarkable career.

A stunning attacking display from Lionel Messi highlighted a one-sided 2-0 home victory for Argentina in their friendly against Panama on Thursday.

The Paris Saint-Germain superstar was nearly moved to tears as his side were serenaded by the raucous El Monumental crowd in the World Cup champions' return to Buenos Aires.

He gave his fans an inspired performance, striking the crossbar with two free kicks before sending another into the top corner to bring up 800 goals in his storied career.

He joined Thiago Almada on the scoresheet after the Atlanta United forward scrambled home one of Messi's crossbar rebounds earlier in the second half.

Argentina piled on the pressure right from the first whistle, and their early dominance was almost rewarded when Messi's free kick cannoned off the crossbar in the 17th minute.

Less than 10 minutes later Rodrigo De Paul played a gorgeous ball through to Alexis Mac Allister, but Panama goalkeeper Jose Guerra made himself big and smothered the first-time attempt on the edge of the six-yard box.

Guerra rose the occasion once again in the shadows of half-time, denying a rocket bound for the top corner from Enzo Fernandez's boot to keep his side level through 45 minutes despite trailing 10-1 in the shot count and controlling only 27 per cent of the possession.

The Argentinian onslaught continued in the second half, with a Messi corner kick five minutes after the restart forcing a scrambling save from Guerra as it threatened to curl under the crossbar.

Another Messi direct free kick drew another save from Guerra, and he was there once again to deny Angel Di Maria from the resulting corner in what was shaping up as a Man of the Match performance from the Panama shot-stopper.

But he was denied a clean sheet as the hosts' dominance eventually paid off in the 78th minute, when another Messi free kick hit the crossbar, but this time Almada was in the right spot to force home the rebound for his first goal in an Argentina shirt.

A fourth free kick proved to be the charm for Messi, curling it over the wall and under the bar in the 89th minute to put an exclamation point on a spectacular individual performance.

Lionel Messi reached the latest major milestone of his storied career on Thursday as he moved on to 800 goals with a stunning free kick for to seal Argentina's 2-0 friendly win against Panama on Thursday.

The reigning World Cup champions returned to Buenos Aires where they received a thunderous reception from their loyal supporters, but they would have to wait until the final moments for their favourite son to get on the scoresheet.

Messi had hit the crossbar with a free kick in the first half, and after a second free kick was saved by inspired Panama goalkeeper Jose Guerra, he struck the woodwork again with a third free kick, although this one led to the opening goal as Thiago Almada tapped in the rebound.

But his fourth free kick finally curled under the bar and into the top-right corner, sending the stadium into raptures.

Of course, it was not so long ago that Messi hit another goals landmark.

His tap-in from Kylian Mbappe's inch-perfect cross against Marseille on February 26 was the 700th club goal of Messi's career – the strike against Panama was only his second for club or country since then.

Messi's stunner at El Monumental on Thursday was his 99th on the international stage.

Only his old nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo (120) and Iran legend Ali Daei (109) have scored more goals in international men's football than Messi, who looks set to continue playing for Argentina for a little while yet.

As such, his 100th goal for the Albiceleste is seemingly just around the corner.

But much like with that international milestone, Messi is not the first player to reach 800 across a full career.

Data can get a little murkier when you go deep into the past, with historical inconsistencies making it a little tricky to classify "official goals" or "official competitions".

The likes of Brazilian greats Romario and Pele are among a group of players deemed by some to have scored over 1,000 goals over their careers, but many of those were netted in friendlies or "unofficial" games.

The International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) considered Cristiano Ronaldo to be the first player to ever reach 800 official goals in December 2021.

With that in mind, Thursday's goal makes Messi the second to reach the landmark, and he is still going strong.

He has scored 18 for the season (all competitions) with PSG, though he also netted seven in as many games at Qatar 2022 as Argentina won the World Cup.

Of course, the vast majority of his 800 goals have been scored in the colours of Barcelona.

During 17 years with Barca's first team, Messi scored 672 times. That is 440 more than any other player in the club's history, while he also holds their record for most appearances (778).

And with his future at PSG in doubt, he could yet extend those records at Camp Nou.

Lionel Messi will have the final say on when his international career with Argentina is over, but head coach Lionel Scaloni is hopeful that is not anytime soon.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward played a starring role as Argentina ended a 36-year wait to lift the World Cup for a third time in December.

Messi announced immediately after his side's penalty shoot-out win over France in the final that, contrary to what many predicted, he would continue playing for Argentina.

La Albiceleste are in action for the first time since then in a friendly against Panama on Thursday, with Messi and his team-mates set to receive another heroes' welcome.

The 35-year-old has previously revealed he does not intend to take part in the 2026 World Cup, but Scaloni is unsure exactly when he will retire from the international stage.

"Messi will continue to come until he says otherwise. I see him happy on the pitch and within the selection," Scaloni said at a press conference on Tuesday.

"Leo's looking good to me. He deserves all that love. He and all the players who are here deserve to go out and receive that love because they have not been able to live it.

"Leo, although he is the best of all, he also needs to see that his people love him. This is something that will stay with him forever."

Argentina are reigning South American and world champions, but Scaloni has warned his players they cannot afford to drop their levels now they have a target on their backs.

"We are world champions, but that doesn't mean we have the right for more," he said. "Just because we win we can't do whatever we want. 

"That's what [the players] have to understand. The message is that a new process is beginning: the pitch is what rules. 

"From there on, those who are world champions have no advantage, we will have to keep working.

"The Argentina shirt doesn't allow you not to give your best, that's clear to us. Afterwards, it's good to celebrate, but we have to do our job on the pitch."

Scaloni, who recently signed a new contract running through until after the next World Cup, has called up a number of uncapped youngsters for the friendly with Panama.

However, Scaloni confirmed that those who featured at the World Cup will start Thursday's match in Buenos Aires.

"I'd like for the people [in the stadium] to watch their players," Scaloni said.

Pep Guardiola joked he took Erling Haaland off against Burnley to preserve a Lionel Messi record.

The Norway international scored his sixth hat-trick of the season in Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at Etihad Stadium, four days after his five-goal haul in the Champions League demolition of RB Leipzig.

Manchester City boss Guardiola was criticised by some after substituting Haaland in that match, denying the striker the chance to break the record for the most goals scored in a Champions League clash.

Haaland now shares that record with Paris Saint-Germain forward Messi, and Guardiola could not resist a quip when facing the media after the 6-0 win against Burnley.

"I didn't want him to break the record for Messi. I try to punish my players – it is my intention!" he joked.

On a more serious note, Guardiola praised Haaland for his mentality and believes that is integral to his stellar record.

"This guy will have a problem in the future because everyone will expect to him to get three or four every game, and that's not going to happen," he added.

"But I know him, he doesn't care about that. He is so positive and optimistic in his life. He never complains and, as long as the team plays with this intensity, he will score goals, though the exact target, I don't know.

"He is so effective and is such an incredible threat with his power. But his joy of life, always thinking good things will happen, that helps too."

Haaland's tally in all competitions now stands at 42, putting him just two shy of the record held by Ruud van Nistelrooy and Mohamed Salah across all competitions in the Premier League era.

The City number nine will have plenty of opportunities to surpass that total, with Guardiola's side set to continue their fight on three fronts after the international break.

Top Premier League clubs Manchester United, Newcastle United and Chelsea are said to be monitoring Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele ahead of his release clause activating.

Dembele is in his sixth season with Barcelona, having racked up a total of 40 goals in his 178 appearances.

He remained a first-team regular to start this campaign, with 14 starts from his 18 LaLiga appearances, before suffering a serious hamstring injury in late January.

The France international is yet to return nearly two months later, but despite his troubling physical problems, England's elite believe he could represent terrific value due to his contract situation.

TOP STORY – BARCELONA'S DEMBELE AVAILABLE AT A DISCOUNT

Dembele was purchased from Borussia Dortmund for €105million plus add-ons back in 2017, but according to Calciomercato he will be available for just €50m (£44m) in the upcoming transfer window.

His contract is set to expire after one more season, and if the club do not secure a long-term extension, Dembele will have his release clause activated.

The €50m figure is said to be more than enticing to England's wealthy clubs, as it is considered a bargain compared to the going rate for other world-class wingers.

Serie A giants Juventus and Inter are also said to be fans of Dembele's, but the price tag is too rich for their current financial situation unless they sell some players to raise funds.

ROUND-UP

– Foot Mercato is reporting Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi is considering a move back to Barcelona next season, with his father said to be in regular communication with the club.

– Real Madrid are monitoring 29-year-old Tottenham striker Harry Kane as a potential successor to Karim Benzema, per the Daily Mail.

– According to Calciomercato, Barcelona and Tottenham are both fans of 26-year-old Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who is expected to leave the club in the upcoming transfer window.

– Goal is reporting Brighton and Hove Albion are prepared to make 25-year-old winger Kaoru Mitoma the highest earner in club history, in order to fend off interest from Real Madrid, Manchester City and Arsenal.

– Former player Jose Enrique revealed on his live stream that Liverpool have agreed to terms for 20-year-old Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who Enrique shares an agent with.

Lionel Messi's father Jorge has claimed "fake news" is being spread about the superstar forward's future at Paris Saint-Germain.

Argentina international Messi is due to be out of contract at the Parc des Princes at the end of the campaign, only intensifying talk over his next career move.

A report this week suggested PSG are not willing to accept Messi's wage demands over a new deal, while another claimed he is asking for €600million to join Saudi side Al Hilal.

It was also alleged on Friday that Messi left a training session early this week due to a falling-out with head coach Christophe Galtier.

However, Jorge Messi took to social media on Friday to denounce all three articles.

"When will you stop lying?" he posted on his personal Instagram account, alongside screenshots from the three articles.

"Where's the proof? Oh, it's all false. OK. No matter how loud it is called. Do not believe it. We will no longer tolerate fake news to gain followers."

Messi has 18 goals and 17 assists in 31 games for PSG this season, but he came in for criticism for his displays in their Champions League last-16 elimination to Bayern Munich.

Asked about the World Cup winner's future at a press conference on Friday, Galtier said: "I know that Leo Messi and the board have been in talks.

"As for whether Leo Messi will be here next season or not, I have said that it is about desire. I know people are discussing it, but Leo Messi is happy in the dressing room.

"He has 18 goals and 17 assists this season. I know there was some criticism about the [Champions League] game against Bayern Munich, but he wasn't the only one.

"As for his future, it is too early to know what will happen."

Messi, who has also been strongly linked with a move to Major League Soccer, is in line to start PSG's Ligue 1 meeting with Rennes at Parc des Princes on Sunday.

Christophe Galtier has said it is still too early to know whether Lionel Messi will be at Paris Saint-Germain next season, but praised the World Cup winner for his attitude.

Messi's deal at the Parc des Princes expires at the end of the season, with rumours swirling about a move back to Barcelona or to Major League Soccer.

The Argentina international has 18 goals and 17 assists in 31 games for PSG this season, but came in for criticism for his performances in their Champions League last-16 elimination to Bayern Munich.

"I know that Leo Messi and the board have been in talks," Galtier said at a press conference on Friday. "At the moment I am staying focused on the team and the upcoming matches.

"As for whether Leo Messi will be here next season or not, I have said that it is about desire. I know people are discussing it but Leo Messi is happy in the dressing room.

"He has 18 goals and 17 assists this season. I know there was some criticism about the [Champions League] game against Bayern Munich, but he wasn't the only one.

"He is able to be decisive, and he has often done so this season. He is among the best assist providers and he scores goals. Given his conduct in the dressing room every day, given his age, he still trains every day and is always happy to play and get his team-mates playing.

"As for his future, it is too early to know what will happen."

Galtier was also asked about whether Kylian Mbappe would be in consideration to be PSG's captain in future, with France head coach Didier Deschamps revealing on Thursday that he was under consideration to lead his national team following the retirement of Hugo Lloris.

"I don't know about that," Galtier said. "Kylian Mbappe has worn the armband in recent weeks [in the absence of the injured Marquinhos]. It is his sixth season here. He is one of our vice-captains. He wears the armband naturally but other players can do so too."

PSG host Rennes on Sunday with a 10-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 and 11 games remaining, and Galtier believes his team is focused on doing their job to ensure they get over the line.

"It is not about motivation, it is about objectives," he said. "We are not champions yet. We have a 10-point lead, that's true, but the next four games plus internationals, we have Rennes on Sunday, Nice and Lens, they are teams fighting to get into Europe.

"Our squad is struggling at the moment in terms of injuries. If we think the job is done, that would be a big mistake.

"Do I need to find extra motivation for my players? No. We know we haven't won the league yet and things can change quickly, so we should get wins under our belt... the only motivation we have is to become champions for an 11th time."

There is uncertainty at Paris Saint-Germain due to fears over further financial fair play sanctions, leading to speculation of numerous players being sold or offloaded.

L'Equipe claimed earlier this week that PSG had put on hold contract negotiations with Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi.

Messi is contracted with PSG until the end of this season, although he reportedly had come to a verbal agreement with the club in December.

Back in September, the Ligue 1 leaders were hit with a €10million fine for FFP violations after the 2020-21 season with a further €45m suspended for any future infringements.

TOP STORY – MESSI'S OFFER TO ECLIPSE RONALDO'S RECORD

Marca reports Lionel Messi is set to receive a world-record €220million (£193m) per year offer from an unnamed Saudi Arabian club.

Messi's contemporary rival Cristiano Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr in January in a deal worth €200m, the highest football salary in history.

The Mirror claims the unnamed club is Al Hilal. The Argentinian has constantly been linked with the MLS too.

ROUND-UP

–  Barcelona head coach Xavi has been in touch with Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan about a move, with his contract running out at the end of this season, claims AS.

– Calciomercato claims Marco Verratti is weighing up a move away from Paris Saint-Germain following recent criticism. Verratti penned a contract extension until 2026 recently.

– Manchester United are pondering tabling a £105m offer for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani, per Sport Bild.

– Mundo Deportivo claims Manchester United are interested in Barcelona's Franck Kessie as a midfield partner for Casemiro, while Tottenham and Chelsea are also circling for him.

– Arsenal are interested in Real Madrid midfielder Eden Hazard who may be available for a cut price with his current deal due to expire in 2024, reports Fichajes.

– Paul Pogba is eager to remain at Juventus despite battling injuries throughout this season, claims 90min.

Lionel Messi could throw in the towel on his career in Europe and play out his days in MLS – but it would be a people-pleasing move if he returns to Barcelona next season.

That is the verdict of Gerard Pique, Messi's long-time former Barcelona team-mate who is as interested as anyone in the Argentina great's next step.

Messi is approaching the end of his two-year contract at Paris Saint-Germain, having joined the French club when Barca were mired in a financial crisis and could not keep him on.

He will turn 36 in June, and his performances at the World Cup for Argentina, along with a number of fine club showings, have suggested he could keep going at a high level.

MLS club Inter Miami have also been big admirers of Messi and are seemingly ready with an offer to take him to the United States.

"Only Leo knows his future," Pique told Spanish broadcaster RAC 1. "He won the World Cup, which was the great dream he had and the title he had left to win. He has won it and now no one can doubt he is the best in history.

"What he decides will be about where he can find happiness and if he wants to continue competing at the highest level."

Defender Pique retired in November, having begun his first-team career at Barca in 2008 and become a lynchpin of the team.

Messi was often the match-winner, helping the likes of Pique to become serial trophy gatherers.

"If he continues to be motivated, the most normal thing is for him to stay in Europe, and here Barca can enter into his plans," Pique said.

"If he raises his arms and says he's had enough, maybe he'll go to MLS. If he came back [to Barcelona], it would be an incredible thing for all the fans."

Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier has no concerns about a perceived lack of "unity" at the club in the wake of their Champions League elimination.

PSG returned to winning ways on Saturday, beating Brest 2-1 away from home thanks to a late strike from Kylian Mbappe, who equalled Edinson Cavani as the club's all-time leading scorer in Ligue 1 (138).

But the match was still very much being discussed in the context of their European failure, with PSG suffering a 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich on Wednesday that saw them knocked out at the last-16 stage.

Since then, talk of internal displeasure has dominated the news agenda around PSG, with Galtier and Luis Campos – the club's football advisor – having their futures called into question.

However, Galtier insists everyone is still on the same page.

"I speak every day with my management team," Galtier told Canal Plus. "Luis is by my side every day; the president [Nasser Al-Khelaifi] is very present.

"We must finish the season, seek the title. We must go and seek this title. There is unity, I've no doubts about unity.

"I am a coach who will fight with the team to claim the 11th title."

Saturday's performance was hardly the emphatic response PSG fans would have likely craved.

PSG looked slow and lethargic for much of the game, and a 1-1 draw would not have been less than they deserved.

Brest appeared good value for a point after Franck Honorat cancelled out Carlos Soler's opener, but the combination of Lionel Messi and Mbappe proved decisive in second-half stoppage time.

Galtier believes the late winner was a just reward.

"It may seem cruel for Brest, but in the match we've had seven very favourable situations," he added.

"Brest scored a good goal in transition, but overall, we deserved to score at least two goals.

"People can say it's a small victory, but I say it's a victory. It's important, three days after the disappointment.

"There's been a general remobilisation. It shouldn't be overlooked in relation to the goal scored in the 92nd minute."

Kylian Mbappe scored a late winner as Paris Saint-Germain beat Brest 2-1 in Ligue on Saturday, but their performance was not an emphatic response to Champions League elimination.

PSG appeared to be limping to a 1-1 draw at Stade Francis-Le Ble, which would have been a major disappointment after defeat to Bayern Munich, only for Mbappe to step up and spare their blushes.

Carlos Soler had put PSG in front late in the first half, but Brest arguably played the better football and were good value for Franck Honorat's excellent equaliser.

A commendable point looked set to be Brest's reward for a spirited display, though Lionel Messi and Mbappe linked up in the 90th minute to put PSG 11 points clear.

PSG quickly established control and almost took an early lead.

Despite a comical air kick, Messi managed to nudge the ball to Soler while stumbling, and the Spaniard saw his attempt pushed onto the post by Marco Bizot.

Bizot could not deny Soler in the 37th minute, however, the midfielder smashing home after Mbappe's long-range strike was parried.

But PSG were soon pegged back.

The lively Honorat brought down Romain Del Castillo's lofted throughball and held off Sergio Ramos and Timothee Pembele, before emphatically finishing beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Honorat turned provider 10 minutes after half-time, but Lilian Brassier's wayward header failed to do the pinpoint delivery justice.

PSG's desperation soon began to spawn chances. Bizot pushed a Messi curler wide, while Mbappe spurned two opportunities.

The two later combined to seal the points, however.

Mbappe broke the offside trap to collect Messi's pass and he slotted home after rounding the helpless Bizot.

Kylian Mbappe scored a late winner as Paris Saint-Germain beat Brest 2-1 in Ligue on Saturday, but their performance was not an emphatic response to Champions League elimination.

PSG appeared to be limping to a 1-1 draw at Stade Francis-Le Ble, which would have been a major disappointment after defeat to Bayern Munich, only for Mbappe to step up and spare their blushes.

Carlos Soler had put PSG in front late in the first half, but Brest arguably played the better football and were good value for Franck Honorat's excellent equaliser.

A commendable point looked set to be Brest's reward for a spirited display, though Lionel Messi and Mbappe linked up in the 90th minute to put PSG 11 points clear.

Christophe Galtier has no reservations over Lionel Messi's commitment to Paris Saint-Germain after their Champions League exit, despite the Argentine entering the final four months of his contract.

Messi is yet to agree fresh terms with PSG ahead of his deal expiring at the end of June, while former Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos is in a similar situation.

Wednesday's Champions League last-16 elimination at the hands of Bayern Munich has led to suggestions PSG's star-studded forward line of Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar may be broken up as part of a rebuild.

Despite PSG's early European exit, Galtier does not expect the likes of Messi and Ramos – both of whom have been linked with a move to MLS – to lower their standards in the coming weeks.

"There is no doubt about these two great players with incredible track records, who know this kind of situation," Galtier said at a press conference ahead of Saturday's trip to Brest.

"They are very high-level players, who go quickly from one game to another. Regarding their contractual situations, they are used to living in this kind of moment."

Galtier also denied there was a need to convince Mbappe to remain at the Parc des Princes, with PSG's latest Champions League failure increasing speculation he could seek an exit.   

"I don't have to try to convince Kylian Mbappe," Galtier said. "Kylian is a Paris Saint-Germain player, he shows it every time he plays, and he has a great determination to succeed and take the club as high as possible."

PSG must now shift their focus to Ligue 1, with Galtier's men holding an eight-point advantage at the summit as they chase a record-breaking 11th French title.

Galtier believes PSG's achievements in the competition have been unfairly belittled, highlighting the celebrations that accompany Bayern's regular Bundesliga successes and calling for the French top flight to receive greater respect.

"If PSG win this title, it will be the 11th, which has never been reached in this country," he said. "We should not minimise this achievement. 

"Some of our players have extraordinary records but are obsessed with adding this trophy, some haven't won it before. It's a very important thing.

"You all send out the message that this league title is easy, but it isn't. I see what's happening abroad. Bayern don't win the Champions League every year.

"But every time they win their league, they have a big celebration, they share it with their supporters and everyone at the club. 

"It must be the same with us. We need to stop trivialising being French champions. It is not easy."