Lionel Messi has taken one final parting shot at Paris Saint-Germain before leaving France, as he advised Kylian Mbappe to find a new challenge.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who turns 36 on Saturday, has bid his own farewell to Parc des Princes, with the Argentine icon revealing that he will be heading to the US for a fresh start with MLS side Inter Miami. Messi is moving to the US as a free agent, with the decision taken not to extend another contract in Europe.
There has been talk of Mbappe heading in a similar direction, with the France international revealing that he will not be triggering a clause in his terms that would keep him on PSG’s books until 2025.
The 24-year-old forward is now being heavily linked with Real Madrid once again — having come close to joining them in each of the last two years.
According to Spain’s Defensa Central, Messi has urged Mbappe to sever ties with PSG. He is said to have told a talented colleague that may one day follow in his footsteps as a Golden Ball winner: “I prefer that you go to Barca. But if you want to go to Madrid, do it, you deserve a real winning project.”
Mbappe is now PSG’s all-time leading goalscorer — while there are five Ligue 1 titles and three French Cups on his domestic roll of honour — but the 2018 World Cup winner has been unable to land an elusive Champions League crown and may need to leave his homeland in order to conquer European football.
Last week Mbappe hit out at France for its treatment of Messi during his two seasons in Paris.
Messi was booed and jeered by PSG fans following the team’s exits from the Champions League over the past few seasons.
Mbappe defended his former club teammate and said he deserved more respect in France. “We’re talking about potentially the best player in the history of football,” Mbappe told Gazzetta dello Sport. “It’s never good news when someone like Messi leaves.
“Personally I haven’t really understood why so many people were relieved that he was leaving. We’re talking about Messi, he should be respected — but instead, he didn’t get the respect he deserved in France. It’s a shame, but that’s how it went.”
