Messi and Neymar score as PSG take French Super Cup in Tel Aviv

(A7) Goals from Lionel Messi, Neymar and Sergio Ramos saw Paris Saint-Germain lift the prestigious French Super Cup (Trophée des Champions), defeating F.C Nantes 4-0 at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv on Sunday evening.

Messi put the reigning French league champions 1-0 up with a superb solo effort early in the first half, before Neymar added a second before the break. In the second half Sergio Ramos netted a cheeky back-heel before Neymar added a fourth from the penalty spot eight minutes from time.

The win came after PSG had lost in this fixture last year to Lille, in a game also held at the Tel Aviv stadium. With a capacity crowd of 30,000 in the stadium once again, the match was broadcast to millions of viewers in 140 countries around the world. The game was held in partnership with the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) and is part of a series of joint initiatives by philanthropist and businessman Sylvan Adams and the Comtec Group to bring the world’s largest sports and cultural events to Israel.

In addition, the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem led by its chairman Larry Maisel, which works to promote tolerance and respect through sport brought 1,000 young Jewish, Muslim, and Christian children to enjoy the star-studded match.

Producing the match was the Comtec Group, the leading Israeli event organizer, which has a track record of bringing the cream of global sporting and cultural events to Israel. Past top-level sporting events organized by Comtec group include the Giro d’Italia, EuroBasket, the international friendly between Argentina and Uruguay in the football and the European Judo Championships, among others.

In addition, European powerhouses Atletico Madrid and Juventus are also set to meet for a pre-season friendly match at Bloomfield Stadium next week, on August 7.