PSG forward, Kylian Mbappe, has sent a touching birthday message to Lionel Messi wishing him goodluck as he opens a fresh new chapter in his career at Inter Miami
Lionel Messi turned 36 on June 24, 2023 with birthday wishes flooding in from top footballers around the world.
Kylian Mbappe joined others to send a hearty birthday wish to the footie icon. Taking to his social media handle, Mbappe thanked Lionel Messi for the two years they played together at PSG, admitting he learnt a lot from the footie ace.
“Happy birthday legend. I wish you the best possible day with your family and friends,” he wrote.
“Thank you for these 2 years together in Paris, I learned a lot from you as a player, a partner, an opponent and a man.
”For that alone I am grateful. Good luck on your new adventure.”
In what could be the last lap of his legendary 19-year-old career, Lionel Messi is celebrating his 36th birthday as a soon-to-be Inter Miami player not as a PSG star.
Messi left PSG with his two-year contract set to expire this month. The footie icon admitted he wanted to have more time with his family while playing in a less demanding clime with a cool football lifestyle than in Europe.
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe relationship
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe were two of the deadly attacking trio in PSG. While the two players enjoyed the usual camaraderie and companionship of each other as PSG teammates, there were also spotlights of uneasy and tensed relationship.
When Kylian Mbappe clashed with Neymar Jr on penalty taking role at PSG, sources close to the PSG dressing room revealed Lionel Messi seemed to have taken side with Neymar, his South American pal.
In August 2022, Kylian Mbappe sparked reactions in PSG’s 5-2 win over Montpelier. Vitinha was leading a PSG counter attack with the frontline attackers on their toes. Kylian Mbappe joined the run but when Vitinha chose to pass the ball to Lionel Messi, Mbappe sulked and suddenly stopped running.
Another incident which spotlighted the uneasy relationship between Mbappe and Lionel Messi at PSG was when the French star snubbed PSG guard of honor, welcoming Lionel Messi back to the club after Argentina World Cup final victory over France.
The 2022 World Cup final at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, also tagged Kylian Mbappe Vs Lionel Messi final, saw the two players at their best for their national teams. They scored five goals out of the six-goal thriller with Mbappe bagging a hat-trick while Lionel Messi hit a brace.
Argentina won on penalties but it appears Mbappe was not cool with the anti-Mbappe dressing room celebrations led by Emiliano Martinez joined by all Argentina players, including Lionel Messi.
When Messi returned from the World Cup to the club, Kylian Mbappe missed from PSG guard of honor and was spotted with close pal Achraf Hakimi disguised in huge facecovers, sightseeing in the US.
Despite the seeming tensions between the two players, Mbappe and Messi seemed to have gotten on well as Messi approach his last days at PSG.
According to Sport.fr, Lionel Messi reportedly advised Kylian Mbappe to join Real Madrid or Barcelona if he wants to leave PSG because he deserves a winning project.
“I will prefer you go to Barca. But if you want to go to Madrid do it. You deserve a real, winning project,” Messi says.
Kylian Mbappe ready to leave PSG
Kylian Mbappe may likely join Lionel Messi away from PSG this summer in what could be an exit of the two biggest players of the club.
Mbappe have submitted an exit letter to PSG but will want to stay and complete his deal at PSG till 2024.
However, PSG are reportedly not keen with the move as they may end up losing him on a free transfer after next season. They want him to sign a new contract or be sold this summer.
