Kylian Mbappe reflects on playing alongside Lionel Messi at PSG

Kylian Mbappe has made a very good start to life at Real Madrid, whom he joined in the summer of 2024 from Paris Saint-Germain. However, he could have arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu much earlier, given that Los Blancos wanted to sign him seven years prior, in 2017.

On that occasion, Mbappe swapped Monaco for PSG, and in his eyes, it was the right move for him at that time. As per Movistar+ (via Sport), he opened up on that transfer decision.

“At that moment it was very clear. When I was at Monaco the clear objective was to play. At Real Madrid there was Benzema, Cristiano and Bale, and I didn’t want to be on the bench. All the clubs in Europe told me that I was going to play, but at Real Madrid I knew I wouldn’t. Of course it was my dream, but playing as a starter is a privilege and I had the opportunity to be at home, in Paris. I had seven incredible years there. The pride of playing where you were born is special, but of course I had the dream of playing for Real Madrid. It was amazing to play in Paris.”

Mbappe: “As a player, Lionel Messi was unique”

Staying at PSG for seven years allowed him to play alongside Lionel Messi, who joined PSG in 2021 after his Barcelona contract expired. Mbappe spoke on his experience with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, whom he has very fond memories of.

“When you talk about players who have marked history, you think of Messi. He is a very normal person inside a locker room. When you’re famous, a lot of people give you a label and if you listen to them it gets into your head, but no, he was totally normal and had respect for everyone.

“As a player, he was unique. When you have someone like that on your team you have to stay close to them and observe everything they do. He helped me a lot to understand the game. It was lucky for me to play with Leo Messi. I didn’t think I was going to play with him in my career. I thought he would stay in Barcelona all his life and my dream was Real Madrid, I didn’t plan to go to Barcelona in my life. I can only thank him. It was a golden opportunity.”

Mbappe wants to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo

Despite this, Mbappe was clear that his number one role model has always been Messi’s “rival” in the GOAT debate: Cristiano Ronaldo.

“He’s always been a role model for me. I am lucky enough to talk to him and have him give me advice. At Real Madrid, he is number one. I want to follow in his footsteps.”