Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe recently opened up about his relationship with fellow football superstar Lionel Messi. The duo, who previously played together at Paris Saint-Germain, faced off against each other in the Qatar World Cup final in 2022. While Mbappe left PSG to join Real Madrid, Messi signed for Inter Miami. Despite their past rivalry, Mbappe and Messi have become closer since the final, as revealed in a new interview with CANAL+ journalist Moloud Achour. On the field, Mbappe has struggled to find his form with Real Madrid, while Messi has had a successful stint with Inter Miami, leading them to a record-breaking season.
In the world of football, it's not uncommon for fierce rivals to eventually become respected colleagues. Such is the case with Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi, two of the greatest players of their generation.
Mbappé and Messi first crossed paths as teammates at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2021. Despite their undeniable talent, they initially struggled to find a coherent system under former manager Mauricio Pochettino. Nevertheless, the duo still managed to help PSG win the Ligue 1 title in 2022.
However, their time together in Paris was cut short when Mbappé decided to leave for Real Madrid that summer. Meanwhile, Messi signed for Inter Miami in 2023.
The rivalry between Mbappé and Messi reached its peak in the 2022 World Cup final, where their respective teams, France and Argentina, faced each other in a thrilling encounter. Mbappé scored a hat-trick, but it was ultimately Messi's turn to lift the trophy, leading Argentina to their first World Cup victory since 1986.
Despite their past rivalry, Mbappé and Messi have become closer since the World Cup. In a recent interview, Mbappé revealed that he had reached out to Messi after the final to congratulate him. The two have also been spotted dining together in Miami.
<h3>Top 5 FAQs</h3>1. Why did Mbappé leave PSG for Real Madrid? Mbappé has cited his desire to join one of the world's most prestigious clubs and to compete for major trophies as his reasons for leaving PSG.
2. How has Mbappé performed at Real Madrid? Mbappé has struggled to find his form since joining Real Madrid, scoring only 13 goals in 27 appearances.
3. How has Messi performed at Inter Miami? Messi has had a successful stint with Inter Miami, leading them to a record-breaking season and winning the MLS Cup in 2023.
4. Are Mbappé and Messi still rivals? No, Mbappé and Messi have become closer since the World Cup. They have expressed admiration for each other's abilities and have even been spotted dining together.
5. What are Mbappé's future plans? Mbappé has stated that he wants to win the Champions League with Real Madrid and compete for major trophies with France.
In a crucial match of the five-match series between Australia and India, captain Pat Cummins has won the toss and elected to bat first at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Both teams are tied at 1-1 after a draw in the previous test. Despite the expected hot weather with a temperature of 39 degrees Celsius, a large crowd of over 90,000 is expected to attend the match.
Australia's young opener Sam Konstas makes his debut while India opts for spin in their playing XI. With the pitch likely to wear out quickly, India may have the upper hand in the batting order. However, Australia's young talent and strong fast bowling attack remain a threat for the Indian team. Follow live updates as the two teams face off in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting believes Indian opener Shubman Gill can improve his overseas record by making minor changes to his approach. Despite scoring four hundreds in 17 Tests at home, Gill's average of 23.8 across nine Tests in England, Bangladesh, West Indies, South Africa and Australia is a cause of concern for Ponting. The 21-year-old may be overcomplicating his approach, and Ponting suggests that he should trust his instincts and maintain an attacking mindset for better results.
Despite being left out of the Uttar Pradesh's Vijay Hazare Trophy squad, Sameer Rizvi has been dominating the Under-23 One Day State A tournament with his incredible performances. In a recent match against Vidarbha, Rizvi smashed a double century in just 105 deliveries, setting a new record with 10 fours and 18 sixes. The talented player's aggregate in the tournament is an impressive 728 runs with 52 fours and 64 sixes, cementing his position as a rising star in the world of cricket.
After much anticipation, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the schedule for the Champions Trophy 2025, which will see India playing all of their matches in Dubai. This event will also introduce a new hybrid model for India and Pakistan's matches, with neutral venues being used until 2027. This agreement covers all ICC events for the next few years, creating a new dynamic for both teams in future tournament matches. Stay updated with News24 for all the latest news and updates on this exciting development.
Utah Jazz's star forward Lauri Markkanen had to be helped off the court in the fourth quarter after colliding with Spurs' Victor Wembanyama. After being diagnosed with a left knee contusion, Markkanen was unable to return to the game. The Jazz ended up losing to the Spurs 128-115, resulting in their elimination from NBA Cup contention.
After missing the first two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar series, Rohit Sharma is expected to return as opener for the crucial Boxing Day Test. This change in the Indian batting order could also have a domino effect on other players, potentially impacting young Shubman Gill's position in the team. Meanwhile, Australia has made two changes to their playing XI for the 4th Test, with Scott Boland and debutant Sam Konstas added to the squad.
Indian cricket team skipper Rohit Sharma was irritated by a female fan's repeated requests to call Shubman Gill during practice at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. With the WTC Final dreams at stake, this match is crucial for both India and Australia. Despite his struggles with form, Rohit does not want Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant to be weighed down by outside suggestions as they are all "capable" players. These three youngsters will form the core of Indian batting in the next decade, and Rohit knows their worth.
After months of delay and uncertainty, the schedule for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has been announced, with a major change to the format. All India matches, including the highly-anticipated clash against Pakistan, will now be played at a neutral venue. This comes after a stalemate between the BCCI, PCB, and ICC over India's matches in Pakistan, finally leading to the implementation of the Hybrid Model. The tournament will kick off in Dubai next year, with a revamped group division.
Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been facing a string of injury setbacks since the 2023 ODI World Cup. After recovering from a heel injury, Shami has now experienced slight swelling in his left knee, ruling him out of contention for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The BCCI is monitoring his fitness and his participation in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy will depend on the progress of his knee.