Mbappe: ‘Messi leaving is never good news’

“Messi could be the best player of all time,” Mbappe told Gazzetta dello Sport on June 13. “I don’t understand why so many people are relieved that he left the team, because Messi leaving is never good news. Messi has not been respected for what he has done.”

Mbappe and Messi played well together in the 2022-2023 season. While Mbappe is the top scorer in Ligue 1 with 29 goals, Messi is also the best passer of the tournament with 16 assists. These two players impressed more at the 2022 World Cup, when they scored eight and seven goals respectively to help France and Argentina finish in the top two. After Argentina defeated France in the final, Messi was repeatedly whistled and booed by his home fans when he returned to play for PSG. After two seasons in Paris, Messi left the team to go to the US to play for Inter Miami.

In addition to Messi , other stars of PSG such as Neymar, Sergio Ramos or Marco Verratti are also opposed. Meanwhile, Mbappe is regularly praised by fans, but he also does not want to renew with the team. “I never asked to leave or go to Real Madrid,” he said. “I just told PSG that I would not choose to extend my contract until June 2025.”

Mbappe’s current contract with PSG is valid until the summer of 2024, which means he only has one season left. The 25-year-old striker has the right to activate the extension clause but he does not. Mbappe says he would happily play one more season in Paris, to leave on a free basis after his contract expires. According to French media, PSG is not satisfied with this plan and wants to sell Mbappe right in the summer of 2023.

The French striker added that his goal is to win every opponent, win every trophy. “But PSG have problems that sooner or later we will have to pay the price,” he insisted.

PSG is considering the possibility of selling Mbappe to Man Utd this summer, but the striker is not interested in the “Red Devils”. Mbappe has repeatedly expressed his desire to play for Real Madrid, while the Spanish club is still looking for a striker to replace Karim Benzema.