One is on top of the world, the other touched it with his finger. Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé had a different end to the World Cup, but they both emerged from the competition having marked the minds of millions of football fans. Above all, they made the happiness of their club, PSG, which can boast of having in its ranks the two best players of this World Cup organized in Qatar.
Internally, we were delighted with the performances of the Argentinian and the French during the competition and they made us want to see the two teammates together in the jersey of the capital club. But it will be necessary to be patient before attending the reunion of the two stars in Paris. The time is currently at rest and we should not see Messi and Mbappé in France for about ten days. The first went to Argentina to celebrate the coronation of Albiceleste, while the second will also enjoy his vacation.
Absent for the clash against Lens?
The Parisian club is aware of the efforts made by its two players during the World Cup and does not wish to rush their return to competition. The absence of Messi and Mbappé for the reception of Strasbourg on December 28, for the resumption of Ligue 1, is already assured. And it also seems complicated to see them on the lawn of the Bollaert stadium for a trip to Lens on January 1, despite the importance of this meeting which would oppose the first two of the French Championship. Christophe Galtier had mentioned a four-five-day restart of his players in training before they could return to competition.
Their return to training date could also differ from each other, even if their journey ended on the same day. The technical and medical staff of PSG wish to take into account the physical and mental feelings of its internationals before making a decision. Messi’s triumph with a trip to Argentina in his legs will certainly be heavily considered, for example. It will be the same for Mbappé whose disappointment was read on his face after the final. The situation of all the Parisian players concerned by the World Cup is analyzed precisely by the club, which then decides on a case-by-case basis.