MY ACCOUNT
Angel Di Maria has revealed his surprise at former club Paris Saint-Germain’s decision to seemingly overlook Lionel Messi and give Kylian Mbappe “all the power”.
Mbappe looked destined to join Real Madrid on a lucrative free transfer ahead of the 2022-23 season, yet he decided to sign a new three-year deal to remain in the French capital.
It has been suggested the 24-year-old’s contract allows him influence over the club’s signings and team selections.
Di Maria, who played with Mbappe and Messi at PSG before his move to Juventus in July, understands Mbappe’s profile in France, but believes his influence overshadows that of Messi.
“I think France in general have given Mbappe a lot of responsibility,” he told ESPN Argentina. “The people, the president [Emmanuel Macron], and PSG.
“They made him stay when he could have left and gave him all the power to him and no one else. But there’s a big difference, they gave him all that power with the best in history [Messi] next to him.
“I think they gave him all that power and strength because he’s French, he was born there, won a World Cup and has an extraordinary career ahead of him.
“But all that aside, when I was at PSG he was a good boy and I don’t think he’s changed so much.”
Mbappe, who has scored 13 goals in 19 Ligue 1 appearances this season, is likely to line up alongside Messi when PSG host Lille in the league on Sunday.
