Paris Saint-Germain’s main attacking trident of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe remains the most galvanizing and soon-to-be most-feared frontline assault unit in world football today. And for Parisian superstar Mbappe, every second spent alongside the Argentine world legend is something to be savored as a privilege.
Speaking to L’Equipe, Mbappe opened up on just what it is like to feature with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“I never imagined him coming here,” Mbappe said. “He’s one of the rare players who I put in the “impossible-for-me-to-play-with” category. For me, he was never going to leave Barcelona. I am savoring every moment alongside him.
“You can’t forget that it remains a privilege. He’s someone who loves football. He speaks with everyone, he’s trying to integrate in his own way, even if he is a bit shy. But he’s not shy on the pitch.”
The chemistry has already started to bubble and sparkle between Messi and Mbappe this season, and more importantly it happened at their Champions League clash with English league champions and last year’s Champions League runner-up Manchester City at the Parc des Princes. Most notably, to the joy and excitement of all watching the encounter, Mbappe assisted Messi for his first career goal with the French powerhouse as the Argentine scored one thunderous, spell-binding long-distance howler.
Kylian Mbappe has claimed playing with Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain is “something else” evven compared to his long-standing relationship with Neymar.
But the Frenchman, who pushed to leave PSG shortly after Messi’s arrival, admits that playing alongside Messi is something he could have never envisaged.
Messi isn’t the first world superstar that Mbappe has had the privilege of lining up with, having spent the last three seasons playing up front with Neymar. Yet while admiting that although he was a trifle star struck at linking up with the dazzling Brazilian, the experience it paled in comparison with PSG’s latest coup.
When asked if he had experienced a similar feeling with any other players, he added:
“Neymar, a bit, when he arrived. He was really extraordinary.
“But Messi is something else. It’s amazing to think that the only other club shirt he’s worn, other than Barcelona, is PSG.
“We have to realise that this is something extraordinary.”
Messi scored for the first time for his new club during last week’s Champions League victory over Manchester City, the result of a spectacular 1-2 with Mbappe that had the Parc des Princes crowds on their feet.
Just four days later however, the Parisians were inexplicably stunned by low-table occupiers Rennes in Ligue 1, losing 2-0 where even the Mbappe, Neymar and Messi trident failed to register a single shot on target.
However Mbappe suggested that there is still a learning process to tank up with when it comes to adding yet another world class layer to their line-up.
“When you only play with great players, you have to make concessions. You’re not the only big player,” he explained.
“It’s not you and the others anymore, it’s everyone all together. Because all we want to do is win.
“When you have Messi in your team, you know that he has to do a bit less in order to have some fuel left in the tank to be more clear-headed to score.
“So if you have to go back, that’s what you do. It’s not an issue, there’s an established hierarchy.”
These words are a clear indication of the wisdom and savvy, not to mention touching humility, that the young French World Cup winner possesses.
Truly, much is expected from this mesmerizing trio even as are they are not only being pegged as the overwhelming favorites to nail the Ligue 1 and Coupe de France competitions, but they are also being picked as the sizzling favorites to claim the UEFA Champions League top honors this season.
As it stands, PSG sits at first place in both the Ligue 1 standings and its Champions League group.