Paris Saint-Germain might have won Ligue 1 last season, but it wasn't the best of campaigns for two of their biggest stars, and there was not shortage of tension between Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos during a pre-season training session in Japan.
Messi scored the goal which handed his new team the title but only managed 11 all season - his lowest return since 2005-06. Ramos, meanwhile, was hampered by injury after arriving from Real Madrid and made just 13 appearances for Les Parisiens.
The two teammates went head-to-head in training as PSG continue their preparations for a first season under new manager Christophe Galtier. And there was no love lost between the former rivals - who have been at pains since arriving in Paris to show the world that there is mutual respect between themselves - in the Far East, despite them now playing for the same team.
PSG have been in Japan for their pre-season programme, winning three games out of three. Messi was on target in two of those victories, including a first-half effort in a 6-2 triumph against Gamba Osaka.
Galtier's squad have also been treating fans to open training sessions. However, things got a little hairy in one of these, with Ramos incurring the wrath of his colleague.
Ramos can be seen catching Messi as the Argentine attempts to escape his clutches. Messi successfully escaped the challenge to fire into the bottom corner of the net, but - as fans applauded the goal - he gave Ramos a long and piercing stare. It's something the Spaniard will be no stranger to from their days in La Liga with Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.
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Galtier was confirmed as PSG's new manager at the start of July, replacing former Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino. The Frenchman had previously been at Nice, having led Lille to the Ligue 1 title in the 2020-21 season.
Upon taking over, the new boss laid bare his stance on Neymar, who has been linked with a move away from the Parc des Princes. The Brazilian joined PSG in a world record move from Barcelona back in 2017, and scored his 100th goal for the club last season.
"Which coach would not like to have a player like him in his team?" the 55-year-old told RMC Sport earlier in the summer. "I have a very precise idea of what I will expect from Neymar. I will meet him, listen, but I want him to stay with us."
PSG have already made three new signings going into the upcoming season, including a permanent move for Nuno Mendes after his stint on loan last term. Former Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Vitinha has completed a big-money move from Porto, while Hugo Ekitike has arrived on loan from Reims with a permanent move expected to follow next summer.
