Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe: Friends or Rivals?

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe showed the world how devastating they can be for the opposition recently. In a game against RC Lens, their nearest title rival, until the game ended, the duo was involved in a magical goal. Messi picked up the ball, passed it to Mbappe, and continued his run in the Lens penalty box.

Mbappe brilliantly backheeled through the defenders to find Messi, who buried the ball in the bottom right corner to give PSG a 3-0 lead. The duo has combined to score goals over two seasons so far. There have been many speculations on their on and off-the-field relationship, especially after the FIFA World Cup.

The PSG Ultras booed Messi continuously since Qatar while applauding the French forward. It fueled the speculation nothing is right between the two superstars. Meanwhile, the players are focused on the remaining PSG games to win the Ligue1 title with the club. Let us take a look at how both players have fared together for the Parisians.

On-field chemistry between Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe

The news of Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona raised eyebrows among the fans. There were several speculations on where the Argentine will go. The Qatari-owned club was quick to act to bring the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner to Paris. It was a start of a massive Messi-Neymar-Mbappe partnership.

Messi knew Neymar Jr. very well since they played at Barcelona together. The question was how Mbappe and Messi would gel in the star-studded attack of the PSG. Despite Messi having a below-par first season, the duo combined well on the field to inspire the club to win the league title. Their on-field chemistry grew with time, and they assisted each other on several occasions.

In the last game, Mbappe assisted Messi to notch PSG’s third goal against RC Lens. A few weeks back, the Argentine found the French forward against Brest to grab a last-gasp winner against Brest. Who can forget the game against Marseille? The duo was involved in all three goals scored by PSG. Messi assisted Mbappe twice, whereas the former AS Monaco man assisted the Argentine once.

These are just a few instances. They have assisted each other on many occasions since Messi joined PSG in the summer of 2021. In the absence of Neymar, the duo is carrying the PSG attack and combining well. Whatever the speculation is off-the-field, the on-field chemistry between the two is brilliant.

Messi and Mbappe rivalry at FIFA World Cup 2022

Mbappe won the 2018 World Cup with France, where they beat Argentina in the round of 16. The teams met in the final of the Qatar World Cup. Qatar was a tournament where the PSG teammates went neck-to-neck. Messi and Mbappe were the leading contenders for the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot. 

Messi was on his way to winning both individual awards, but Mbappe scored a brilliant hat-trick in the final against Argentina, taking his goal tally beyond the Argentine. The PSG duo performed significantly for their teams. Lionel Messi’s contribution to lead Argentina to its first World Cup after 1986 earned him Golden Ball, whereas Mbappe finished top-scorer after failing short on penalties in the final. 

The World Cup saw the club teammates going hard on each other in the ultimate clash. The rivalry between the two was the primary attention. 

An off-the-field friendship between the two?

The fans have not seen Messi and Mbappe together off the field. There were speculations of the dressing room being divided after the Argentine arrived at PSG. Mbappe wasn’t happy, as per many reports, with the shift of power after the former Barcelona talisman arrived. 

READ MORE: Lionel Messi vs Kylian Mbappe: Stats Comparison at PSG

More recently, When Messi returned to PSG, Mbappe was on the US tour with Achraf Hakimi when other teammates were giving a guard of honor to the World Cup winner with Argentina. Despite all this, the duo has massive mutual respect and has hailed each other on many occasions. 

Hug between two players after World Cup final

Mbappe was in scintillating form in the Qatar FIFA World Cup. He finished as the top scorer in the tournament. The PSG forward scored eight goals and provided two assists. He scored the hat-trick in the final, the first after 1966. Despite all the heroics, Mbappe was on the losing side as France lost on penalties.

His PSG teammate Messi won his first World Cup. Messi consoled the 24-year-old after the final. As per the footage, Messi was seen talking and hugging a French superstar after the game. It was a heartwarming moment between the two after several reports suggesting the rift between them.

Lionel Messi hails Kylian Mbappe for PSG record

On March 5 in the Ligue1 game against FC Nantes, Messi opened the scoring, notching his 799th goal. Later in the game, Mbappe scored the fourth goal for PSG, taking his PSG tally to 201. Thus, he became the all-time leading goalscorer for the Parisians, surpassing Edinson Cavani.

Lionel Messi took to Instagram to congratulate the French superstar. He wrote, “Congrats Kylian Mbappe on the record!” Messi was happy with the achievement of his teammate. Since returning from the World Cup and in the absence of Neymar (due to injury), the duo has been enjoying. They are celebrating the PSG goals together, proving all the speculations about their ruptured relationship wrong.

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It might be the final few games we see the duo playing together. The reports suggest Messi will leave PSG at the end of the season. What do you make of a relationship between the two? Are they friends on and off the field?