Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said French striker Kylian Mbappe “deserves to be crowned with the Ballon d’Or,” adding that “the problems we face remain within the family.”
The Paris Saint-Germain president explained after an eventful summer between the Parisian club and Mbappe: “The problems we face are still within the family, and Kylian is part of the family.”
After being dropped from the first team for the new season after refusing to renew his contract, which expires on June 30, 2024, the 2018 world champion missed his team’s summer preparations under new Parisian Spanish coach Luis Enrique. Before the French striker returned to the Parisian team’s training and matches, despite failing to reach an agreement on a contract extension.
“I’m proud of what he does and what the whole team is doing,” added Al-Khelaifi after the French star scored eight goals in five matches this season. “We have the best player in the world and for me he deserves the award. Ballon d’Or.”
On the other hand, Al-Khelaifi reacted to Argentine star Lionel Messi, who left the Parisian team at the end of last season for Inter Miami, and recently criticized Paris Saint-Germain, especially since he was disappointed that he was not there “recognized” there as a world champion when he led his country. The Argentine won the World Cup, defeating France in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar.
Al-Khelaifi said about this: “There is a lot of talk on the street. I don’t know what he did or didn’t say. As everyone saw, we published a video clip and praised Messi in training and also praised him privately.” “
He explained: “We did it with respect because at the end of the day we are a French club. Celebrating in the stadium was, of course, a sensitive issue. We have to respect the country that (Messi) beat, his teammates in the French team. “, and our fans too. But he (Messi) was and remains a great player. We were proud of his presence “here”.
In an interview broadcast last Thursday on the Olga YouTube channel, Messi criticized his former team Saint-Germain, saying: “It wasn’t what I hoped for, but I always say that everything happens for a reason.” for that reason… The truth is that I was the only player. Among the other 25 players (world champions from Argentina), he did not receive recognition (from his club after winning the World Cup), but that does not matter.”
Source: Agencies