Messi granted extended rest ahead of return next week

Lionel Messi will be rested for Paris St Germain's French Cup game at third division side Chateauroux as the Argentine forward needs more time to recover from his World Cup-winning campaign according to manager Christophe Galtier.

Messi, who lifted the World Cup on 18 December, took part in training over the last couple of days, but Galtier said he needed a bit more time to be ready to play competitively.

"He's had a fantastic World Cup. He had commitments, going back to his country for the celebrations and we wanted him to recover back home with his family," Galtier said ahead of Friday's trip to Chateauroux in the round of 64.

"He will not play tomorrow. Having discussed with him, we want him to be ready for the following game (against Angers on 11 January in Ligue 1)."

Ligue 1 leaders PSG, who suffered their first competitive loss this season when they were beaten 3-1 at second-placed RC Lens last Sunday, will be without their offensive trio.

France forward Kylian Mbappe, who was on the losing side in the World Cup final, has been given a break and travelled to New York with friend and team mate Achraf Hakimi while Neymar skipped training on Thursday.

"We knew there would be absences after the World Cup. As for Neymar's absence in training, it had been scheduled after all players were assessed upon their return from the World Cup," said Galtier.

"We decided with the medical staff that Neymar, with everything he has experienced with his ankle problem (in Qatar), needed time. He won't play tomorrow."