For the 2023–24 season, Kylian Mbappé will be the focal point of the Paris Saint-Germain project. The 24-year-old has shared the limelight with Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. over the past two seasons.
But this summer, things took a turn for the worst. This past summer, Messi signed with Inter Miami as a free agent. Neymar was sold by PSG to Al-Hilal in order for the Brazilian to pursue his career in Saudi Arabia.
Mbappé mentioned his experience with the Argentine, who was awarded his ninth Ballon d’Or, and noted that the player at PSG was not the same as the one at Barcelona. But in order to continue performing at a high level, the winger claimed that Messi has to change as a player.
According to Mbappé, “even the best players have had to change” (h/t AS) on TF1. “With Leo [Messi], I played.” Leo adjusted his strategy. He was a different player in Paris than he was in Barcelona, and that’s what allowed him to maintain his winning ways.
“How long you play is determined by soccer. If you don’t adapt, soccer advances and you fade into obscurity. Even the greatest athletes have had to adapt.
It should come as no surprise that the athlete in his mid-30s was not the same player as one in his peak. Because of this, in order to play at the highest level as they approach the end of their career, athletes need to reinvent themselves. Still, Messi may tone it down a notch against Inter Miami.