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Mbappé criticizes treatment of Messi in France amid uncertain future.

In the midst of uncertainty surrounding his own future at Paris Saint-Germain, Kylian Mbappé has expressed his dissatisfaction with the treatment of Lionel Messi by the club and French soccer as a whole, following Messi's departure from PSG. Messi recently signed with Major League Soccer franchise Inter Miami after rejecting a contract extension with PSG, ending his two-year stint with the French team.

During his final months at PSG, Messi faced jeers from fans as his performance declined after helping Argentina win the World Cup. He was also suspended by the club for an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia. Mbappé, in an interview with Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, voiced his confusion over the relief expressed by many people when Messi left. He emphasized that Messi, potentially the greatest player in the history of soccer, deserved respect, which he felt was lacking in France. Mbappé expressed his disappointment with the situation and urged the club to find a suitable replacement for Messi.

PSG may also need to find a replacement for Mbappé soon, as the 24-year-old has informed the club that he will not be taking up the option of a 12-month contract extension, which expires at the end of the next season. This decision has immediately sparked speculation linking Mbappé with Real Madrid, a club that has long been interested in the French superstar. In 2021, Real Madrid had a bid of 180 million euros ($190 million) rejected for Mbappé. Although PSG managed to secure his signature with a new contract last year, they are unlikely to risk losing him as a free agent next year.

Mbappé clarified that he did not request to be sold or to go to Real Madrid. He simply confirmed that he would not activate the extra year in his contract. While PSG has not discussed a contract renewal with him, Mbappé expressed his contentment with staying at the club for the next season.

Mbappé's decision may have been influenced by PSG's early exit from the Champions League once again. The club's ambition to win the prestigious competition was thwarted in the round of 16 for the second consecutive season, this time by Bayern Munich. In the previous season, PSG was eliminated by Real Madrid, who went on to claim their 14th Champions League title. Mbappé, a fierce competitor, emphasized the importance of winning all titles at the highest level. He acknowledged the need to learn from mistakes and continually improve to stay at the top individually.

However, a potential obstacle to Mbappé's move to Real Madrid could be the issue of racism in Spanish soccer. Vinícius Júnior, who is also Black, has been subjected to racist abuse, and Mbappé has expressed concern over the lack of action taken by soccer authorities in Spain to address this problem. Mbappé himself has faced racist and hateful comments on social media following France's loss to Argentina in the World Cup final last year. He believes that players have the power to bring about change and should leave the field if necessary to highlight the seriousness of the situation. Mbappé referenced the incident in the Champions League match between PSG and Basaksehir in 2020, where both teams walked off the pitch after a racial slur was directed at a player. The game was replayed as a result. Mbappé stressed the need for a change in the rules and pledged to fight for this cause as the captain of the French national team.

In conclusion, Mbappé has expressed his disappointment with the treatment of Lionel Messi and the need for respect in French soccer. He has also made it clear that he will not be activating the extra year in his contract with PSG, sparking speculation about a potential move to Real Madrid. PSG's recent Champions League exits have likely influenced Mbappé's decision, as he is determined to win all titles at the highest level. However, the issue of racism in Spanish soccer may pose a deterrent to a move to Real Madrid. Mbappé believes that players have the power to effect change and is committed to fighting against racism in the sport.

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