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Messi, who lifted the World Cup on Dec. 18 at Lusail stadium in
Qatar, 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 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."
Galtier, however, insisted he would field a "very competitive
team", with Costa Rica keeper Keylor Navas being handed a start
in place of Gianluigi Donnarumma as PSG look to put their RC
Lens loss behind them.
"There was disappointment, frustration and sometimes anger, but
we want to bounce back with an important game as the Cup is one
of the important goals of the club," Galtier, who won the Cup
twice as an assistant coach with Sochaux and Olympique Lyonnais,
said.
"Getting straight back into it is the best to eliminate that
frustration."
PSG will also be without midfielder Marco Verratti, who is
suspended.
(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Toby Davis)
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