Kylian Mbappe Admits He Misses Lionel Messi at PSG After Veteran Left to Join Inter Miami

Kylian Mbappe Admits He Misses Lionel Messi at PSG After Veteran Left to Join Inter Miami

Elijah Odetokun
updated at January 4, 2024 at 8:05 AM
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  • Paris Saint-Germain once featured Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar Jr
  • Messi left to join Inter Miami while Neymar moved to Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal
  • Mbappe has opened up on the relationship he has with one of his ex-teammates

Kylian Mbappe is doing it all alone at Paris Saint-Germain after the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr, and he has opened up on how he feels about one of them.

PSG possessed the trio of Neymar, Messi, and Mbappe after the Argentina captain surprisingly left Barcelona in 2021 and chose Paris as his next destination.

The trio played together for three years but did nothing more than the ordinary as the team fell short in the UEFA Champions League, despite winning consecutive Ligue 1 titles.

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Paris, France, Ballon d'Or.
Former PSG teammates, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe at the Ballon d'Or awards event in October. Photo by Franck Fife.
Source: Getty Images

Messi left at the expiration of his contract, leaving European football and joining Inter Miami in the MLS, while the Brazilian playmaker moved to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal.

Mbappe admits he missed Messi

The Ligue 1 giants won their first trophy of 2024 with a 2-0 victory over Toulouse at Parc des Princes, thanks to goals from Lee Kang-in and a beautiful finish from Mbappe.

Per BR Football, the Frenchman became the outright top scorer at PSG’s home stadium after scoring his 111th on the ground during the 2023 Trophée des Champions.

Speaking to Prime Video after the game, Mbappe was asked if he missed the former Barcelona captain, and his response left fans amazed.

"You always miss not playing with Leo Messi anymore! For an attacker like me, who likes to attack spaces, with him, you have the certainty that you can get the ball. It was a luxury that almost only he can give you! Beyond that, playing with Messi was special," he said.

Since leaving Paris, Messi has helped Inter Miami to win its first-ever trophy and returned to the city to pick up his record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or last October.

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Mbappe: Messi deserves Ballon d'Or

Sports Brief previously reported on Mbappe saying Messi deserves the Ballon d'Or after outrage from fans claiming Erling Haaland should have won it.

Mbappe acknowledged the Norwegian striker’s achievements but claimed it did not weigh much compared to helping a country claim the FIFA World Cup.

The former Barcelona captain won the award with a margin of 105 points over the Premier League star, but many have claimed the award vote was rigged.

Authors
Elijah Odetokun photo
Elijah Odetokun
Elijah Odetokun is Reuters-trained journalist with three years of experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria, OmaSports and El Futbolero.