Pique buys Ligue 1 broadcast rights ahead of Messi's debut

The rights to Ligue 1 in Spain have reportedly been bought by Gerard Pique's company Kosmos Holding, ahead Lionel Messi's Paris Saint-Germain debut on Sunday.

PSG will be hosted by Reims at the Stade Auguste-Delaune II at 20:45 CEST and the game will be aired for free in Spain through the channel of Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos on Twitch.

According to ESPN, Spanish TV channel Telecinco also have the rights to broadcast Messi's debut with his new team, following his departure from Barcelona.

These Ligue 1 rights were previously held by Movistar and Pique's company are planning to sub-license them to a TV channel or an over-the-top media service.

Frenzy in France for Messi's debut

The Argentina captain decided to join PSG this summer after Barcelona failed to balance their books and renew his deal, one which expired on June 30.

In Paris, he has joined forces with his former Real Madrid rival Sergio Ramos, as well as his close friend Neymar.

After leading Argentina to Copa America glory this summer, Messi enjoyed his well-deserved holidays before heading to Paris to train under Mauricio Pochettino.

However, Messi was not in shape to feature in any of PSG's first few games in Ligue 1 and his debut is expected to take place away at Reims.

Following his arrival in France, fans from the all over country and worldwide have gone into a frenzy, making his debut one of the most awaited events of the upcoming weekend.

As Reims' ticket office manager Alexandre Jeannin explained in an interview for L'Equipe, people from all over the world have bought tickets for Sunday's duel.

"The number of ticket requests is exceptional," said Jeannin.

"It is difficult to quantify. And we had some pretty incredible sales through the online ticket office, with purchases coming from all over the world, from Chile, South Korea, Thailand, Egypt or India."