Kylian Mbappé Says 'King of Football' Pelé Has Legacy That 'Will Never Be Forgotten'
Dec 29, 2022
PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 02: (l-R) Edson Arantes do Nascimento a.k.a. Pele and Kylian Mbappe attend the 'Hublot loves Football': Pele and Kylian Mbappe meeting at Hotel Lutetia on April 02, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/Getty Images)
Like the rest of the soccer community, Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappé is mourning Brazilian soccer legend Pelé, who died Thursday because of complications from colon cancer.
In a statement released on his social media accounts, Mbappé called Pelé the "king of football," adding that "his legacy will never be forgotten."
The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten. RIP KING 💔👑… pic.twitter.com/F55PrcM2Ud
Pelé, born as Edson Arantes do Nascimento, had a tumor removed from his colon in September 2021. He was admitted to Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo on Nov. 29 for reevaluation of his cancer treatment.
When news that Pelé was in the hospital spread, Mbappé was one of the first players to wish him well with a social media post on Dec. 3. At the time, he was playing for France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Pelé responded thanking the Frenchman for his well wishes, adding that he was "happy" to see him break one of his World Cup records.
Thank you, @KMbappe. I'm happy to see you breaking another one of my records in this Cup, my friend! ❤️🙏🏾
With two goals in France's quarterfinals victory over Poland, Mbappé brought his World Cup goal total to nine, becoming the first player to score nine in the tournament before reaching age 24, passing record holder Pelé.
On Dec. 12, a medical report indicated that Pelé's condition was improving. However, he was never discharged from the hospital, and Mauricio Savarese of the Associated Press reported on Dec. 21 that his cancer had advanced and that he was under "elevated care" because of kidney and heart issues.
Pelé, a three-time World Cup winner, is tied with Neymar (124 games) as Brazil's all-time men's leading goal scorer with 77 goals in 92 games. He led the country to World Cup titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970 and will be remembered as one of the greatest soccer players of all time.
PSG's Nasser Al-Khelaifi Confident in Keeping Lionel Messi, Eyes Marcus Rashford
Dec 9, 2022
PARIS, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 13: Lionel Messi of Paris Saint Germain runs in the field during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and AJ Auxerre at Parc des Princes on November 13, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Antonio Borga/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi is due for a new contract, and while there has been speculation about his potential departure from Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain, team president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is confident he will remain with the club beyond 2023.
"He's very happy, you can see that with the national team. If a player's not happy you will see their performance not good for the national team. He performed fantastic this season for us, he's scored a lot of goals and assists for the national team and for the club.
"So what we agreed together—that after the World Cup, [we] sit down together. But both sides—our side of the club and him—are very happy, so we will talk after the World Cup."
In addition to re-signing Messi, PSG has also been listed as a possible destination for Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, whose contract with the Premier League side expires after the 2022-23 season.
Al-Khelaifi addressed the possibility of adding Rashford on a free transfer, and he was candid in his response:
"He's another player that is really amazing. And for free? To have Rashford for free, every club would run after him, definitely. We're not hiding it, we spoke before and ... [there was] interest. But the moment was not a good moment for both sides. Maybe, summer, why not?
"Today if he's a free agent of course we can talk to him directly but we are not going to talk to him now. Let him focus on the World Cup. Then after in January, hopefully, if we're interested we will talk to him."
Messi joined PSG ahead of the 2021-22 season. In 26 Ligue 1 games last year, he notched six goals and 14 assists. Before heading to the World Cup this year, the Argentine enjoyed a much better start to the 2022-23 campaign, notching seven goals and 10 assists in 13 games.
Before signing with PSG, Messi had spent the first 17 years of his career with La Liga side Barcelona, where he established himself as one of the best players in the world. He would have remained with the club, but it was unable to re-sign him because of financial issues.
A November report indicated that Messi was going to leave PSG to sign with Major League Soccer's Inter Miami, but ESPN reported that he had not agreed to join the team owned by David Beckham.
As for Rashford, he has spent the first eight seasons of his career with Manchester United. Before joining England for the World Cup, he posted four goals and two assists in 14 Premier League games.
Rashford's best season came in 2019-20, when he scored 17 goals and had seven assists in 31 league matches.
PSG have also expressed interest in Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.
Al-Khelaifi's team is sitting in first place in Ligue 1 with a 13-2-0 record. Adding either Rashford or Bellingham to a squad that already includes Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar might make them even more dangerous but could lead to problems fitting so many stars on to the teamsheet.
Lionel Messi Wows Fans as Argentina Beat Australia in 2022 World Cup
Dec 3, 2022
DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 03: Argentina's Lionel Messi during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Australia at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on December 3, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi further cemented his legendary status Saturday, as his goal in the first half helped Argentina defeat Australia 2-1 in the round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Playing in his 1,000th career match, Messi made magic again, sneaking a ball through multiple defenders and past goalkeeper Mathew Ryan with his left foot in the 35th minute:
The goal was historic for many reasons, at it marked Messi's first in the World Cup knockout rounds, put him past Diego Maradona for the second-most goals by an Argentine at the World Cup and gave him 789 career goals across all competitions:
Messi's goal was also his third of the tournament.
Given the low probability that Messi's strike would find the back of the net Saturday, fans marveled at his continued elite level of play and ability to carry the burden for Argentina on the international stage:
Messi has 2 open play goals in this World Cup. They have a combined xG of 0.06
In what is expected to be Messi's final World Cup, La Albiceleste entered the tournament as one of the top contenders to win it all.
Argentina got off to a nightmarish start, though, losing its opener to Saudi Arabia 2-1. Since then, Messi and Argentina have been on a roll, reeling off wins over Mexico, Poland and Australia.
While Argentina is one of only six nations to win multiple World Cups, it has not done so since 1986. It came close in 2014 with Messi leading the way, but Germany won after extra time in the final.
Now, Argentina is just three wins from winning its third World Cup, and it may have as good of a chance as any team remaining because of how Messi has been playing.
Messi and Argentina's next chance to take another step toward the trophy will come Friday against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.
Lionel Messi Addresses Future, Retirement: 'Don’t Think I’ll Play for Much Longer'
Nov 16, 2022
PSG's Lionel Messi controls the ball during the Champions League group H soccer match between Juventus and Paris Saint Germain at the Allianz stadium in Turin, Italy, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Lionel Messi is heading into his fifth World Cup with Argentina, but his playing career could soon be coming to an end.
"I don't think I will play for much longer," he told Ezequiel Lavezzi, via Connell Edgar-Jones of Barca Universal.
The 35-year-old is amid an outstanding season with Paris Saint-Germain, tallying seven goals with 10 assists in 13 league matches, adding four goals with four assists in Champions League action.
PSG currently sits on top of the Ligue 1 table and has advanced to the Round of 16 in Champions League.
The World Cup will also provide a chance to add to his trophy case after helping Argentina win the Copa América last season. The team was a runner-up at the 2014 World Cup and it's a top contender to take home the title in Qatar.
Despite the recent success, Messi's future remains in doubt with his PSG contract up at the end of the season.
There have been reports about a potential move to MLS, with Inter Miami having "increasing confidence" a deal will be completed, per David Ornstein of The Athletic. Barcelona president Joan Laporta has also kept the door open for a move back to Camp Nou next year.
Even with the opportunities, it seems Messi already has his sights on retirement.
Of course, the superstar could still remain involved in the sport in some way.
"I love football," Messi said. "Surely, I will work on something related to it. I have done it all my life."
If he doesn't want to coach, one option could be following in the path of David Beckham, who is now the president and co-owner of Inter Miami.
Zlatan Ibrahimović Criticizes Kylian Mbappé's Decision to Sign New Contract with PSG
Nov 3, 2022
TURIN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 02: Kylian Mbappe of PSG controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain at Juventus Stadium on November 2, 2022 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Sportinfoto/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Zlatan Ibrahimović believes Kylian Mbappé made the wrong decision in re-signing with Paris Saint-Germain after a long pursuit by Real Madrid.
"He made the right choice for Paris not for himself," Ibrahimović told Canal Plus (translated by ESPN). "Because he put himself in a situation where he is more important than the club. And the club gave him the keys for that. But you are never bigger than a club."
Mbappé had been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid before making a surprising switch in May to remain with PSG. His new contract makes him the highest-paid player in the world with an estimated $128 million salary for 2022-23, per Justin Birnbaum of Forbes.
There were reports Mbappé changed his mind and wanted a transfer in the next window, but he denied those rumors.
"I never asked for my departure in January," he told reporters.
Mbappé remains the focal point on a star-studded PSG squad that also features Lionel Messi and Neymar. He finished last season with 28 goals and 17 assists in Ligue 1, helping win the club's fourth title in five years.
Now in his sixth season with the club, Mbappé is trying to help Paris Saint-Germain finally take home a Champions League trophy. The squad has secured a spot in the round of 16 after finishing second in Group H.
Ibrahimović has taken a different path, never staying in the same place for more than four years at a time. He won four Ligue 1 titles with PSG from 2012 to 2016 but moved to Manchester United the next season.
The Swedish star also won trophies with Ajax, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona and AC Milan.
Zlatan believes it's important to challenge yourself and not be "satisfied" with your current situation.
"When you lose discipline, you lose your identity," he said.
Neymar Fraud, Corruption Charges Over Transfer to Barcelona From Santos Dropped
Oct 28, 2022
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 25: Neymar of Paris Saint-Germain Looks on during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Paris Saint-Germain and Maccabi Haifa FC at Parc des Princes on October 25, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Neymar has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the investigation of fraud and corruption charges in Spain related to his 2013 transfer from Santos to Barcelona.
According to Reuters, prosecutors dropped all of the chargers against the Paris Saint-Germain star after all defendants testified.
"There is not the slightest hint of crime," prosecutor Luis Garcia Canton said of the decision.
Citing a source close to the Neymar family, Reuters reported their legal representatives "would claim costs against the private prosecution for what they consider recklessness, acting in poor faith and for abuse of process" and reserve the right to claim for damages.
In 2014, Spanish authorities opened an investigation into alleged tax fraud of 9.1 million euros into Barcelona related to Neymar's transfer.
Per ESPN's Dermot Corrigan, the issue appeared to be related to two payments made in 2011 and 2013 totaling 37.9 million euros that went to a Brazilian-based company controlled by Neymar's father that should have been considered taxable income.
Neymar was named in a separate fraud lawsuit in June 2015 filed by Brazilian investment fund DIS, which owned 40 percent of his transfer rights, related to the move.
Barcelona were originally reported to have signed Neymar for $65 million in 2013, but investigators alleged the club paid a much higher price while only declaring the reported amount.
Barcelona denied any wrongdoing throughout the investigation. The trial for Neymar and eight others began in Barcelona on Oct. 17.
Prosecutors were seeking a two-year prison term and $9.8 million fine for Neymar. They also wanted former Barca president Sandro Rosell to receive five years in prison and for the club to be fined.
Reuters noted at the start of the trial that DIS was demanding five years in jail for Neymar and a fine of 149 million euros for the defendants.
Neymar began his senior career with Santos in 2009. The Brazilian star then spent four years with Barcelona before moving to PSG in August 2017.
PSG's Kylian Mbappé Denies Rumors Regarding Desire for January Transfer
Oct 16, 2022
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 11: Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain reac during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Paris Saint-Germain and SL Benfica at Parc des Princes on October 11, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Kylian Mbappé is not seeking a move away from Paris Saint-Germain this winter despite rumors suggesting otherwise.
“I have not asked to leave Paris Saint-Germain in January. I’m not furious with the club; it’s not true," the French soccer star told RMC Sport after Sunday's win over Marseille, per Fabrizio Romano.
Mario Cortegana of Marca (via Get Spanish Football News) reported Oct. 11 that Mbappé's relationship with PSG was "broken" and that he would seek a transfer from the club in the January window.
ESPN's Julien Laurens confirmed the news, writing that Mbappé "feels betrayed by the club and has enough."
"Sources said Mbappé thinks promises made by sporting director Luís Campos, president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and manager Christophe Galtier have not been kept," Laurens wrote. "Sources close to Mbappe say he made a mistake by agreeing a new deal to stay at the club in May."
Mbappé signed a three-year contract extension with PSG in May after months of reports linking him to La Liga side Real Madrid. The 23-year-old received a €100 million signing bonus and a €50 million salary, per Adam White of Get French Football News (h/t the Guardian).
In addition, Mbappé was expected to be given a significant amount of power in decision-making for the club, though it doesn't appear his requests are being met, hence his reported displeasure.
One of Mbappé's reported demands was for the club to sell Brazilian star Neymar. He was also reportedly promised the addition of a "world-class center-back" to shore up the defense.
However, Neymar remains with the club, and PSG failed to add a center-back despite a hot pursuit of Inter Milan's Milan Skriniar before the season began.
PSG have denied a rift in the relationship between Mbappé and Neymar, with Galtier claiming the relationship is "very good."
In addition, Campos denied rumors of Mbappé wanting to exit the club while speaking ahead of its Champions League clash with Benfica on Oct. 11, per Mitchell Wilks of Goal.com:
"I am here to clearly deny, he [Mbappé] did not speak to me or to my president about leaving in January. This question never came up and we never talked about it. There are rumours every day, and we can't talk about them every day. But this one, it is serious. Because my name is there. An impact on the locker room? No, they are experienced players. It's not real news anyway, and it's not going to disrupt the group.
"We speak with Kylian every day, as with Neymar, Danilo, Vitinha and Verratti. All the players have their ideas and we discuss. On recruitment, we talked about it a month ago. It was very clear. And today, we work every day to be stronger."
Mbappé is PSG's best player and figures to play a significant role in the future of the club. He joined Les Parisiens ahead of the 2017-18 season after three years with Monaco and has tallied 127 goals in 151 Ligue 1 matches.
With Mbappé himself denying the rumors, it's reasonable to believe he'll honor his commitment to the club, at least for now. He's under contract with Paris through 2025.
Lionel Messi Ruled out for PSG's UCL Match vs. Benfica with 'Minor' Calf Injury
Oct 10, 2022
LISBON, PORTUGAL - OCTOBER 5: Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain during the Group H - UEFA Champions League match between SL Benfica and Paris Saint-Germain at Estadio da Luz on October 5, 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain announced that Lionel Messi will miss Tuesday's Champions League match against Benfica because of a minor calf injury.
Messi wasn't in the squad for PSG's 0-0 draw with Stade de Reims on Saturday. His status for their upcoming Ligue 1 fixture with Marseille this Sunday is unclear.
The 35-year-old is looking more like his usual self following an underwhelming first season in the French capital. He has five goals and seven assists through nine matches in Ligue 1 and another two goals and one assist at the halfway mark of the Champions League group stage.
Messi was Paris Saint-Germain's lone goalscorer in a 1-1 draw with Benfica in their first meeting.
Without Messi, PSG aren't lacking in firepower with Kylian Mbappé and Neymar. The squad is generally looking more cohesive under manager Christophe Galtier as well.
Still, Benfica have been difficult to break down defensively this season. They've allowed five goals in nine league Primeira Liga matches and two goals in their first three UCL fixtures.
Roger Schmidt's side will presumably sit deep to counter PSG's attacking threat. In that 1-1 draw, Benfica finished with 40 percent of possession and saw their opponents complete twice as many passes.
Even into his mid-30s, Messi has the singular ability to create something from nothing. His absence will undoubtedly make it harder for Paris Saint-Germain to come away with three points on Tuesday.
PSG's Lionel Messi Passes Cristiano Ronaldo After Scoring Against 39th UCL Club
Sep 14, 2022
Maccabi Haifa's Swedish defender Daniel Sundgren (L) attempts to block Paris Saint-Germain's Argentine forward Lionel Messi during the UEFA Champions League group H football match between Israel's Maccabi Haifa and France's Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Sammy Ofer stadium in the city of Haifa on September 14, 2022. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi added another record to his resume, scoring against his 39th different team in UEFA Champions League play.
The Paris Saint-Germain star scored against Maccabi Haifa to even Wednesday's match at 1-1 in the first half:
Mbappe with the dance moves, Lionel Messi with the finish, his 126th #UCL goal.
Ronaldo still holds the all-time record for Champions League goals at 140, but Messi can cut into his deficit this season with Ronaldo's Manchester United not making the tournament.
Messi's 126th goal in the competition also made him the first player to score in 18 consecutive Champions League seasons, per CBS Sports.
The 35-year-old won this event four times with Barcelona, but he is now looking to help Paris Saint-Germain win for the first time. The club is considered one of the favorites thanks to Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, but the team was eliminated in the round of 16 last year.
It's a different scenario for Maccabi Haifa from the Israeli Premier League.
This is just the third appearance in the Champions League group stage for Maccabi Haifa, which last reached this point in 2009-10.
The underdogs got an opportunity to host one of the best teams in the world, while Messi made the most of his chance to score against yet another club in his incredible career.
