‘Kylian Mbappe was disappointed in a classy way and congratulated Lionel Messi’: PSG boss Christophe Galtier insists there will be no issues between the stars after World Cup final, despite the Argentine’s team-mate Emiliano Martinez taunting the Frenchman
- PSG boss Christophe Galtier expects no club issues between Mbappe and Messi
- Kylian Mbappe was on the losing side with France during the World Cup Final
- Leo Messi’s Argentina teammates have been mocking the Frenchman’s despair
- Galtier thinks they will be fine once they are together at the club in the New Year
PSG boss Christophe Galtier has said there will be no issues between Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in the fallout from the World Cup final.
As Argentina captain, Messi put in a talisman-like performance to secure the trophy after a penalty shootout, which ensured that hat-trick hero Mbappe ended up with his French teammates on the losing side.
In the days following Argentina’s famous victory, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made public taunts about Mbappe’s disappointment at losing the final despite scoring three times.
Superstars Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi will be reunited as PSG teammates in the New Year
Manager Christophe Galtier expects there to be no issues between Mbappe and Messi in 2023
But Galtier, who is preparing to manage PSG in their first competitive post-World Cup game on Wednesday at home to Strasbourg, has no concerns about Messi and Mbappe’s ongoing relationship when they return to being club colleagues.
Galtier, 56, said: ‘I would focus on the relationship between them. It wasn’t Leo Messi winding anybody else up. What I saw after the final, what I have experienced, is there is no reason to mix these things up because the goalkeeper’s behaviour is down to him.’
‘What matters to me is the relationship between the players. Kylian Mbappe had a very good attitude, despite losing. Of course, he was very disappointed, but he did that in a classy way. He congratulated Leo Messi and that is a very good thing for the club and for the team.’
The Argentine led his country to World Cup final glory, at the expense of Mbappe’s France
Emiliano Martinez (C) caused some controversy by targeting Mbappe with mockery after win
As previously reported by Sportsmail, Messi is not expected to return to the PSG fold until January 2 or 3, after a period of celebration and downtime in his native Argentina.
This means he will miss league games against Strasbourg and second-placed Lens, but could be involved in the French Cup against Chateauroux on January 6, or in the Ligue 1 match at home to Angers five days later.
During the time since the World Cup final, the 35-year-old has given verbal confirmation that he will continue his stint in the French capital, despite rumours linking him to a move back to Barcelona.
Mbappe is back in training with PSG, while Messi is not expected to return until January 2 or 3
PSG have started their Ligue 1 campaign in an unbeaten fashion, and they will be eager to continue that after the extensive World Cup break.
Their bid to secure an inaugural Champions League success will be tested against Bayern Munich in the round-of-16 during February and March.
Advertisement