PSG Insist On Keeping Lionel Messi And Kylian Mbappe

Paris Saint Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has insisted that the French club is determined to keep Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe at the club beyond this season.

Recall that Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe clashed at the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup 2022 FIFA World Cup. Messi led Argentina against Mbappe’s France to battle for the World Cup trophy on Sunday, December 18.

Both Messi and Mbappe gave a good account of themselves as the Argentine football star grabbed two goals in the game while the Frenchman grabbed a hat-trick. They also scored during the penalty shootout.

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe during the 2022 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, December 18.

Unfortunately for Kylian Mbappe, his effort was not enough to help France successfully defend the trophy the French team won in 2018. Messi’s Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy 4-2 via penalties.

Before the tournament, PSG struggled to extend Mbappe’s contract amidst strong interest from Real Madrid.

The 23-year-old forward is currently under contract at PSG reportedly worth 72 million Euros per season. The contract will expire on June 30, 2025. But PSG wishes to extend it beyond then or keep him till then with the player reportedly interested in playing for Real Madrid.

As for Lionel Messi, his current contract with PSG will expire on June 30, 2023. The 35-year-old Argentine icon decided to put on hold any form of contract negotiations until the end of the World Cup.

Now that the 2022 FIFA World Cup is over, PSG president Al-Khelaifi has affirmed that the French club will resume negotiations with Messi and strive to keep Mbappe.

“We want to keep both Leo Messi and Mbappé, of course — they’re the best player and the best goalscorer of the World Cup”, Al-Khelaifi told RMC Sport.

“I won’t say more about Messi as we have the plan to discuss after the World Cup”.