Lionel Messi told his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe, that he deserves “a real winning project” in an apparent dig at the Ligue 1 champions.
Messi himself has left the Parc des Princes and has confirmed he is joining Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer (MLS).
Defensa Central reports that the Argentina captain confided to Mbappe his desire for him to sign for Barcelona instead of Real Madrid.
But Messi ultimately advised the 24-year-old to join a club that would compete for the biggest trophies in European football.
“I prefer that you go to Barça. But if you want to go to Madrid, do it, you deserve a real winning project,” Messi said.
Mbappe’s current contract expires in June 2024 and he has informed the club he will not extend it.