Things have heated up between Lionel Messi and PSG since the World Cup-winning captain’s departure from France. Messi left PSG for MLS club Inter Miami in the summer, and even the Argentine star’s former teammate Neymar described their time at PSG as “hell”. In a recent interview, Messi stated that he was disappointed that he didn’t receive ‘recognition’ at PSG despite winning the World Cup. But now, a former French player responded to that opining the reception was obvious and compared the situation with Kylian Mbappe.

Frank Leboeuf, who played for Chelsea FC for five years between 1996-2001, is most famously known for man-marking Ronaldo Nazario in France’s 3-0 win in the 1998 FIFA World Cup final against Brazil. Leboeuf played in the final in place of Laurent Blanc who received a red card in the semi-final and was suspended, and Leboeuf helped France win the World Cup for Les Blues on home soil. However, he has now hit out at Messi saying that he doesn’t even “understand why he’s complaining”.

France’s legend Frank Leboeuf suggests Messi not being recognized at PSG was justified

In a recent interview at his lavish new mansion in Fort Lauderdale, Messi sat down with Miguel Granados on the YouTube channel Olga to discuss several topics. In the interview, Messi said: “I was the only player of the 25 that didn’t get a [club] recognition. It was understandable … because of us [Argentina], they [France] didn’t retain the World Cup.”

Now, Frank Leboeuf has responded to Messi’s comments sharing his perspective in a conversation with ESPN FC. When asked about Messi’s comments from a Frenchman’s perspective, Leboeuf said, “It’s funny because to give the answer on the comment that he makes. Of course, as an Argentine guy you know he’s not going to be welcome if you win the the World Cup against France.”

“Go the other way around see any players, a French player, Mbappe playing in Argentina and winning the World Cup against Argentina. He’s gonna be burnt alive! So come on that’s only fair I don’t even like understand why he’s complaining you know.”

The comments from Leboeuf come after Messi’s injury that saw him dropped from Argentina’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bolivia. Messi also came off for Inter-Miami against Toronto in the 37th minute due to muscle fatigue. But in his time off the pitch, Messi has named his closest friends from the Argentina squad.

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Messi names closest teammates from Argentina as US Open Cup final looms

Speaking with Miguel Granados, when asked about his closest teammates Messi stated, “I shared a lot with the previous generation: Masche, Pocho, Kun. And from now on we have become close friends with many of them.”

Further stating that he and his family are closest with Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes, Messi said, “With Fideo (Di María) we have been together all our lives, we were together in Paris too. Then, the fact of sharing a team on a day-to-day basis brings you much closer. With Fide, Lea Paredes, and the family we share a lot.”

The Argentine maestro will now look to be fit enough to feature in Inter Miami’s highly anticipated US Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo as he will look to win his 2nd trophy with the MLS club this season.

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