Ale Moreno says it's in PSG's best interests to avoid losing Kylian Mbappe on a free
transfer next summer. (1:23)
Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe has hit out at
France for its treatment of Lionel Messi during his two seasons in Ligue 1.
Messi
joined the French champions in 2024 on a free transfer from Barcelona and despite
winning the league on two occasions, the forward struggled to adapt to life at PSG.
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Messi, 35, was booed and jeered by PSG
fans following the team's exits from the Champions League over the past few
seasons.
Messi opted not to extend his PSG contract at the end of the season and is set
to join Major League Soccer's Inter Miami. Mbappe defended his former club teammate and
said he deserved more respect in France.
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"We're talking about
potentially the best player in the history of football," Mbappe told Italian
publication 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.
He'll have to be replaced as best as possible."
Mbappe also added that he never asked
PSG to allow him to move to Real Madrid in this summer, confirming that he is happy to
play in the French capital next season but will not extend his deal with the
club.
Mbappe caused a stir when he sent a letter to the club stating that he had no
intention to extend his PSG contract, which expires in 2024 if he does not activate the
clause that will extend his deal by a further 12 months.
PSG risk losing Mbappe for
free in June 2024. He will also be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with a new
club from January should he decide to see out the remaining year of his deal at PSG.
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Lowe: How Barcelona missed chance to sign Messi twice
"I didn't ask either to be sold
or to go to Real Madrid," Mbappe said. "I just confirmed that I don't want to activate
the extra year foreseen in the contract. We have never talked about a renewal with PSG,
but I'm happy to stay here next season."
ESPN reported on Wednesday that Madrid are
ready to bid for Mbappe this summer and the player is keen to move to the LaLiga
giants. Sources added that PSG would be willing to listen to offers of around €150
million ($161.5m) for the France captain.
Madrid have courted Mbappe, 24, in the past
but failed to land him. He signed a contract extension with PSG in May last
year.
However, the Spanish club are rebuilding their team after losing Ballon d'Or
winner Karim Benzema and could turn their eye to Mbappe, who has finished as top scorer
in Ligue 1 for the past five seasons.
Information from Reuters was included in this
report.
