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.
Inter Miami CF dominated their match against Sporting San Miguelito, securing a 3-1 victory in their Preseason Tour of Latin America. The match saw goals from recent signings Tadeo Allende and Fafa Picault, as well as a goal from Academy product Benjamin Cremaschi. After this win, the team looks forward to their next match against Club Deportivo Olimpia.
In a shocking move, the Dallas Mavericks have traded Luka Doncic, their franchise player, just months after making it to the NBA Finals. Reports suggest that Doncic's weight and overall conditioning were major factors in the decision. NBA legend Charles Barkley weighs in on the situation, sharing his own experience with weight criticism in his rookie year and pointing out the lack of accountability in Doncic's camp. This trade has left many questioning the professionalism and loyalty of the Mavericks' front office towards their star player.
Robert Lewandowski's second-half goal secured a crucial victory for Barcelona against Alaves, cutting the gap on league leaders Real Madrid down to four points. The win allows the Catalans to capitalize on Real Madrid's slip-up against Espanyol and trail them by a narrow margin. With a derby match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid next weekend, Hansi Flick's side could potentially make up even more ground. Though Alaves put up a tough fight, it was Lewandowski's goal from a Lamine Yamal cross that ultimately sealed the deal for Barcelona.
In a heated match between Arsenal and Manchester City, Martin Odegaard opened the scoring with a goal in the second minute of the game. The Norwegian's goal was a result of a costly mistake by Manuel Akanji, who gave away possession to Kai Havertz, ultimately leading to the goal. The two teams have a history of intense matches, with the previous encounter seeing Erling Haaland and Gabriel getting into a physical altercation. This time, Gabriel celebrated Odegaard's goal right in front of Haaland, reminding him of their past encounter.
Ruben Amorim, newly appointed Manchester United boss, has made his first major signing for the club with the acquisition of 20-year-old Patrick Dorgu for a staggering £29 million. Dorgu, who has signed a five-year-deal, has attracted interest from top Italian clubs but it was United who secured his signature. The versatile defender will provide much-needed stability to the team's left flank, which has been hampered by injuries. His arrival has been hailed by Manchester United's technical director as a valuable addition to Amorim's squad.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta couldn't hide his satisfaction after his team's dominant performance against Manchester City, earning a 5-1 victory. He praised his team's aggression, energy, and courage throughout the game and emphasized the importance of having a positive mindset when facing tough opponents. This win marks a significant step in the team's evolution, with the players displaying confidence, trust, and tenacity to face any team on their day.
In a dramatic final day at the Tata Steel chess tournament, young Indian chess prodigy Praggnanandhaa emerged as the champion after defeating world champion Gukesh in a tense tiebreak that went into sudden death. Pragg admitted it was the most intense and stressful day of his career, comparing it to a previous sudden death battle with close friend Arjun Erigaisi. This victory marks a milestone for Pragg and solidifies his place in the world of chess.
Arsenal made a strong statement in the Premier League title race with a dominant 5-1 victory over reigning champions Manchester City. Despite City equalizing early in the second half, Arsenal responded with three quick goals to seal the win and extend their unbeaten league streak to 14 matches. This defeat adds to Manchester United's poor home form this season as they suffered a 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace, who climbed above them in the standings.
In a thrilling rematch, Arsenal exacted revenge against Manchester City and Erling Haaland by thrashing the Norwegian and his team with a 3-1 scoreline. Fans and players alike took great joy in reminding Haaland of his "stay humble" comments from their previous encounter, with young Myles Lewis-Skelly even imitating Haaland's signature celebration. This result could mark a turning point for Arsenal's season and a lesson for Haaland in staying humble.
India's Abhishek Sharma put on a thrilling display of hitting as he scored a 17-ball half-century against England in the fifth and final T20I in Mumbai. He fell just short of equalling Rohit Sharma's record of being the fastest Indian to score a T20I ton by two balls. Rohit had hit a 35-ball century in 2017. Abhishek also shared a 115-run partnership with Tilak Varma and ultimately finished with a breathtaking 135 off 54 balls, helping India reach their highest-ever score in the powerplay in this format with 95 runs.