Argentina
Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Mbappe told to "accept and adapt" to Messi at PSG despite goal warning

mirror.co.uk, 9 September 2021, 14:53

Kylian Mbappe has been told he can benefit from Lionel Messi's arrival at PSG even if his goalscoring exploits suffer.

The Frenchman is part of a three-pronged attack featuring Messi and Neymar, which is being tipped as among the best in recent memory.

Mbappe has entered the final 12 months of his deal in Paris and was the subject of huge interest from Real Madrid.

PSG resisted hefty offers from the Spanish giants, but could now lose their World Cup winner for nothing next summer.

Mbappe will now spend the year playing alongside Messi, who himself joined on a free from Barcelona.

PSG now boast an incredible attacking trio ( Image:

YOAN VALAT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Former Paris great Pauleta believes the Frenchman will have to adapt to the six-time Ballon d'Or winner but will ultimately improve if he does.

That said, he has been warned that his numbers in front of goal may dip, but he will have to "accept" that.

Pauleta told Ligue 1's official website : "He (Mbappe) will have to adapt, but he will grow a lot with Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain.

"If he has the intelligence to move well, taking advantage of the spaces created by Messi and Neymar, he will often find himself in a good situation thanks to their quality of passing and he will therefore be able to score many goals.

"The fact that he can play either on the side or in the middle will be an asset.

"That said, there is always a risk that one of the three will score less. If that's the case for Kylian, he'll have to accept it."

Mbappe scored 42 times last year - the highest single season haul of his career.

During his four years at the Parc des Princes the former Monaco man has scored 135 times in 175 games.

He's begun this season impressively, scoring three times in four games.

Kylian Mbappe has been warned that his goal total could suffer

Mbappe and Neymar had led the PSG attack prior to Messi's arrival, with the Argentine set to take centre stage.

The duo have failed to deliver the Champions League and Pauleta admits that criticism will inevitably come their way.

He added: "If Paris Saint-Germain had won a Champions League since Neymar and Kylian's arrival, everyone would say they're a perfect duo. But because they didn't win it, it makes sense that there is criticism.

"But I think they get along well. They are two players with a lot of qualities who like to have the ball even though they have different styles. They are complementary. I hope they will succeed in forming a formidable trio with Lionel Messi."

Top News

15 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti could decide to bring Raul Asencio into central defence for Thursday's Copa del Rey last-16 clash against Celta Vigo. 15 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk By scoring the equaliser for Liverpool in their 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest this evening, Diogo Jota has set a new all-time Premier League club record. 15 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will look to bounce back from their Spanish Super Cup disappointment when they welcome Celta Vigo to the Santiago Bernabeu for Thursday's Copa del Rey clash. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Brazilian giants Flamengo have reportedly explored the opportunity to sign Arsenal midfielder Jorginho this month. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly entered the race for highly-rated young Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Arsenal vs Tottenham is a historic and bitter rivalry but for Martin Keown, the frenzy surrounding their clashes was initially surprising. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Pep Guardiola was spotted screaming at Stefan Ortega after Manchester City surrendered a two-goal lead to draw at Brentford. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Diogo Jota equalised with his first touch as Liverpool came from behind to take home a point from a 1-1 draw with Premier League title rivals Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Arne Slot has been hailed after his double substitution of Diogo Jota and Kostas Tsimikas instantly paid off against Nottingham Forest. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Graham Potter marked his Premier League managerial debut with West Ham United by guiding the Hammers to a crucial 3-2 win over Fulham at the London Stadium on Tuesday night. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford produced a remarkable late fightback to salvage a point in their Premier League home clash against Manchester City. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea's winless run in the Premier League has been extended to five matches after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge this evening. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Chelsea fans couldn't believe David Brooks' robust clothesline challenge on Marc Cucurella wasn't deemed violent conduct. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Andre Schurrle's career may have had its challenges, but they are nothing compared to what he is taking on in retirement 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be under no illusions that the "spotlight is shining" on him, but there should be absolutely no talk of the Spaniard losing his job at the Emirates, according to Gunners expert Charles Watts. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Renato Veiga has reportedly ruled out the possibility of a permanent departure. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Cole Palmer has become the first player since Eden Hazard to achieve 20 Premier League goal contributions in successive seasons for Chelsea. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Arsenal's starting XI could be shaping up very differently for the north London Derby as the club have been hit with an injury crisis. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk After sweeping past Real Madrid to win Sunday's Spanish Super Cup final, Barcelona will now turn their focus to Wednesday's meeting with Real Betis in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bitter foes will renew hostilities in Wednesday's titanic Premier League North London derby, as Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly submitted an official offer for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City will welcome Crystal Palace to the King Power Stadium in the Premier League on Wednesday night. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Everton and Aston Villa will meet once again in English league football's most played fixture on Wednesday night. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have confirmed that Gabriel Jesus sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in Sunday's FA Cup defeat to Manchester United. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to boost their chances of avoiding fourth-tier football next season, Shrewsbury Town will welcome promotion-chasing Wrexham to The Croud Meadow on Thursday night in League One. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have not included defender Kyle Walker in their squad for tonight's Premier League clash with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United could be without as many as six players for Thursday's Premier League clash with Southampton at Old Trafford. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking to build on their positive FA Cup results last weekend, struggling Premier League duo Manchester United and Southampton square off at Old Trafford on Thursday night. 14 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa have announced that they have completed the signing of Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen. 14 January 2025 talksport.com Martin Keown couldn't escape Simon Jordan's fiery questioning as they dissected what's been a particularly tough week for Arsenal.