Lionel Messi was seen taking a step back from Paris Saint-Germain’s line-up before their Champions League clash against Juventus to witness extraordinary scenes in the stands.

As the players emerged onto the Parc des Princes pitch, PSG fans lit up the stadium to welcome their players.

And it made for a truly breathtaking spectacle.

The Champions League is the competition that everyone associated with PSG is desperate to win.

They’ve come close to lifting the European Cup for the first time in recent seasons - reaching the final in 2020 - but have been unable to get over the finish line.

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Last season’s Champions League campaign was a bitter disappointment for the Parisians.

After defeating Real Madrid 1-0 in the Round of 16 at their home stadium, PSG were favourites to advance to the quarter-finals.

They even took the lead in the second leg at the Bernabeu but a 17-minute hat-trick from Karim Benzema in the second-half turned the game on its head.

Messi looks dejected as PSG lose to Real Madrid

MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 09: Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain (C) looks dejected after conceding their side's second goal while goal scorer Karim Benzema of Real Madrid (L) celebrates during the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg Two match between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 09, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Messi and Neymar were booed by PSG’s fans in the following game for their part in the team’s capitulation, while Mauricio Pochettino lost his job at the end of the season despite winning the Ligue 1 title.

PSG’s current head coach, Christophe Galtier, knows he’s likely to suffer the same fate unless PSG become European champions.

Messi hasn’t won the Champions League since 2015. Aside from the World Cup, the Champions League is the competition the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is most determined to win again before he brings the curtain down on his illustrious career.

The legendary Argentine forward has seen it all down the years, but even he needed to take a step back and soak up the spine-tingling atmosphere before the Juventus game.

Lionel Messi, PSG v Juventus

Video: Messi steps back to witness scenes in PSG stands

Watch the video here:

Goosebumps. You couldn’t be a PSG player and not get pumped up after that. Remarkable scenes.

PSG went on to beat Juventus 2-1

Unsurprisingly, PSG came flying out of the traps and took the lead after just five minutes when Mbappe volleyed home Neymar’s lofted pass.

The French side then doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute through that man again, Mbappe.

Weston McKennie pulled a goal back for Juve in the second half but it was PSG who ended the night with all three points.

PSG players after beating Juventus

Soccer Football - Champions League - Group H - Paris St Germain v Juventus - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - September 6, 2022 Paris St Germain's Kylian Mbappe applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier