Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe extended birthday wishes to his former Argentine teammate Lionel Messi, sharing a message on social media. The public note arrived as a warm acknowledgment from Mbappe, who reflected on their time together in Paris and the growth they achieved on and off the pitch. In his post, Mbappe called Messi a legend and expressed hope for happiness and success for Messi, his family, and friends. He thanked Messi for the two seasons they spent at PSG, noting what he learned from him as a player, as a teammate, a competitor, and a person. The message carried a tone of gratitude and best wishes for Messi’s continued journey in football. (Source attribution: official social media activity, contemporaneous coverage)
Messi celebrated his 36th birthday on June 24, marking another milestone in a storied career. The Argentine forward joined Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent in 2021 after an impressive spell with Barcelona, where he had defined years of modern football. During his Paris tenure, Messi helped PSG secure domestic success and add to his already illustrious trophy cabinet. The move to PSG represented a new chapter in his career, bringing together a remarkable array of talent and experience on one French stage. (Source attribution: career timeline reports, league summaries)
While wearing the PSG jersey, Messi achieved league titles and continued to demonstrate his influence in European football. After leaving the club, reports indicated he would transition to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, a move that would bring his wealth of experience to a different football culture. The potential shift was discussed widely among fans and analysts who followed the evolving dynamics of star players across leagues. (Source attribution: transfer coverage and league announcements)
As for Messi’s next steps, some coverage suggested a continued focus on shaping his legacy beyond the European stage. The broader context surrounding PSG at that time included ongoing discussions about the club’s roster strategy and how star players might fit into long-term plans. These conversations reflected the delicate balance clubs face when managing aging forwards, contract situations, and the ambitions of a team that competes at the highest level. (Source attribution: club statements and media analysis)
In late June, there were reports that Mbappe had not renewed his contract with Paris Saint-Germain. According to those updates, the club was weighing its options, including the possibility of offering Mbappe for transfer, while sources indicated that a deal with Real Madrid was not currently under consideration by PSG. The situation highlighted the ongoing tension between a player’s personal goals and a club’s strategic planning, a common theme in top-level football where talent, business interests, and competitive aspirations intersect. (Source attribution: transfer rumors and club position statements)