Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi were teammates at the club level, both playing for the Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain. Mbappe officially joined the Parisian club in 2018,while Messi made the noteworthy decision to leave Barcelona and transferred to Paris in 2021. As teammates, they had the opportunity to play alongside each other for a remarkable period of two seasons, showcasing their incredible talent and contributing to the success of Paris Saint-Germain.
It is unclear if the two are friends but certainly, they are not friends in the traditional sense. The two have never been spotted together enjoying a friendly time off the field. However, even on the field, much has been said about the relationship between the two. According to many reports, there is a power struggle between them.
Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi have high regard for each other's performance on the field. Even if Mbappe and Messi may not be friends, what is clear is that they have great respect for each other. They have spoken about each other with high esteem.
When Messi won his seventh Ballon d'Or last year, Mbappe referred to Messi as the greatest player in the world.
"It's really easy to play with Lionel Messi. He is the best player in the world."
Though the French soccer player, admitted that he enjoys playing in France more than PSG.
“I have a lot more freedom here. The coach knows that there is a number nine like Olivier [Giroud] who occupies the defense. Me, I can walk around, go into space, ask for balls… in Paris, there isn’t that, it’s different, I’m asked to do the pivot.”
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe celebrating (Credit: Twitter)
Messi, however, came out and talked highly about his PSG teammate.
“Kylian is a different player, a beast who is very strong in one-on-one, who goes into space, who is very fast, who scores a lot of goals. He is a complete player and he has proved it for years, and in the years to come, he will certainly be among the best.”
It was evident that the two had a good relationship. They always showed respect for each other's qualities.
Messi's Argentina defeated Mbappe's France in the final of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. Messi scored a brace, while Mbappe became the first player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final since 1966.
The most heartwarming moment was when, after the match, Messi was seen comforting Mbappe after his defeat. They talked, hugged each other, and FIFA released a video of that. Argentina's coach, Lionel Scaloni, was also seen consoling Mbappe.
Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi have displayed mutual respect and admiration for each other's talents on the field. Although there have been instances of them interacting in a friendly manner, such as embracing after significant matches or engaging in conversations, it is difficult to determine the depth of their bond. Off the pitch, there have been no substantial indications of them spending time together or cultivating a close friendship. Nevertheless, football has a unique way of bringing players together and forging connections, and it is entirely possible that Mbappe and Messi have developed a cordial relationship based on shared experiences and professional admiration. Regardless of their friendship status, their on-field performances and the impact they have had on the sport will forever link their names in football history.
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