Mbappé: "Messi didn't get the respect he deserved in France".

Two years after arriving in Paris, Lionel Messi left PSG last week after his contract expired following a defeat by Clermont. It was the end of two mixed years in which the Argentine never managed to win the hearts of Parisian fans.

His departure was therefore not mourned in Paris, and many fans were even pleased that the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner did not extend his stay. Kylian Mbappé doesn't understand this, however, when asked about it by La Gazzetta dello Sport from Clairefontaine.

"Never good news when someone like Messi leaves".

"We're potentially talking about the best player in the history of soccer. It's never good news when someone like Messi leaves," the 2018 world champion replied first, before turning to the criticism the Argentine has received in France.

"Personally, I didn't quite understand why so many people were relieved at his departure. We're talking about Messi: he should be respected, and he didn't get the respect he deserved in France. It's a shame, but that's the way it is. We'll have to do what we can to replace him."