Sport Football Other prizes: Messi advises Mbappe to leave PSG

Before leaving PSG, Lionel Messi advised Kylian Mbappe to move to Barca or Real.

According to Spanish newspaper Defensa Central , not long before his contract expired and left PSG, Messi told Mbappe: "I would have preferred you to move to Barca. But if you choose Real Madrid, hurry up, you deserve one. The team has a more winning spirit."

Messi is said to have contributed to Mbappe's decision to leave PSG. Photo: AFP

Messi devoted himself to Barca for 20 years before joining PSG in the summer of 2021. The Argentine striker won two consecutive Ligue 1 titles and the 2022 French Super Cup. However, Messi could not help PSG win the first championship. Champions League as expected. In the last months of playing for the French club, Messi was booed by his home fans. He decided not to stay, nor sign a contract with any other club in Europe, but went to the US to play for Inter Miami.

At PSG, Messi once teamed up with Mbappe and Neymar to create a desirable attack with every team. However, there are often rumors about conflicts between these superstars. When Messi first moved in, the French media said that his presence made Mbappe angry and wanted to leave. In fact, Mbappe twice almost moved to Real but changed his mind to stay due to promises from PSG.

On June 12, Mbappe confirmed that he would not renew his contract with PSG when the agreement between the two sides will end in the summer of 2024. This means that the Parc des Price team will lose the 24-year-old striker, if not. sell him this summer or next January transfer window.

In response, PSG issued an ultimatum to Mbappe, asking him to find a new club or renew. However, the France striker said he was ready to play for PSG for one more season and then move on as a free agent.

Mbappe is currently the top scorer in PSG history with 212 goals in 260 games. In 5 years with this club, he won five Ligue 1 titles, three National Cups but still never won a European Cup.