Weeks after Argentina beat France to win the Qatar World Cup 2022, legendary icon Lionel Messi returned to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and received a guard of honour. However, fans quickly pointed out that Kylian Mbappe was missing from the players and staff who welcomed the 35-year-old icon.
Legendary forward Lionel Messi returned to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) training on Tuesday, weeks after Argentina beat France on penalties to lift the coveted Qatar World Cup 2022. The 35-year-old icon, who was allowed to take a break following his exploits in the Gulf Nation, was given a guard of honour by his teammates and the club's staff ahead of their Coupe de France clash against Chateauroux on Friday.
During the Qatar World Cup 2022 final at Lusail Stadium, Messi scored a brace, while his PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe scored a sensational hat-trick for France, resulting in the scores level at 3-3 after extra time. However, Argentina trumped the 2018 winners on penalties 4-2.
Argentina and Messi fans erupted in joy and celebrated the momentous occasion. However, Mbappe faced a mixed bag of reactions. While some fans applauded the World Cup Golden Boot winner's courage and grit, a few trolled him for several days, including Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The kind of treatment Mbappe faced was considered disrespectful by several football critics, leaving fans to wonder how his equation with Messi would be once they returned to their club's fold.
Upon his arrival at the PSG training centre, Messi received a guard of honour from his teammates and was also presented with special memorabilia by the club's Sporting Director, Luis Campos. However, fans were quick to raise the question, "Where is Mbappe?" after noticing that the French striker was missing from the world champion's welcome.
On Monday night, Mbappe and PSG teammate Achraf Hakimi attended an NBA clash between Brooklyn Nets and San Antonio Spurs at the Barclays Center, where Argentinian fans taunted the French star in the stands as they chanted 'Muchachos'. Pictures and videos of Mbappe's presence for a clash saw Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving's side manage to grab a comfortable 139-103 victory went viral. However, two days later, fans expected the France international to return to training and be present for Messi's special reception.
Kylian Mbappe was in attendance, watching the Brooklyn Nets when fans started chanting "Muchachos"! Video via .pic.twitter.com/iOdy0byTn6
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer)"LOL I think it's amazing that PSG gave Mbappe a break to do this," said one fan sarcastically, while another asked, "Was Mbappe there as well?"
A third fan commented, "Why u guys have so much hate towards Mbappe? Don't worry Mbappe already won the world cup he won't fight with Messi," while a fourth stated, "Neymar looks very happy. What a nice & genuine friendship!!"
Here's a look at some of the other reactions on Twitter:
Where's Mbappe? https://t.co/VpNAybRYre
— THE Living Legend (@omnisavage)Was Mbappe there as well? https://t.co/1oR13McJgk
— Thintitha (@_Thintitha)Where is Mbappe ? https://t.co/2kdZapaMIA
— Don Esquire (@Giftana_)i didn't see Mbappe https://t.co/uZDDvB62Dg
— Niyi Oke, I.T. Advisory, Data analysis (@datanalystk)mbappe nowhere to be seen 😭 https://t.co/T1erxfYxxV
— mina 🎧 (@tragicmystics)meanwhile in New York... https://t.co/CngKFlho0j pic.twitter.com/tHHsZhpevm
— hattrickzzz (@hattrickzzz1)No wonder Mbappe and Hakimi ran off to the US lol https://t.co/EbQl3kHcXH
— W ☦️ (@Lowkeytrpping)-Mbappe👀 https://t.co/ZdK7vgJJko
— Troubled young man (@itsdeepbrazo)We all should strive to become a friend like Neymar! https://t.co/x2TC9BHY0X
— 🅰️ (@DrCricket__)does it scare y’all?!?! 😁 https://t.co/4oRrdMPcqg pic.twitter.com/G8fNNt7Uhz
— Killy Mbappé (@wintersoobie)how u gon see this and the first u thing about is mbappé 😭 it’s obsession at this point https://t.co/mx1q68DInd
— ۟ (@kyctrl)the whole psg congratulating Messi and the first think about is mbappe https://t.co/XjoXq4w70f pic.twitter.com/v8YMxkNeJQ
— glamrock nia🕺🏾 (@ilyyeons)The King deserves more.👑 https://t.co/UDXC3n2kea pic.twitter.com/WufpIOplfv
— 🍄KG🍄 (@XxiKGixX)seeing a man get honoured and an absentee is the first person on your mind lmaoooo pic.twitter.com/WA9idPw7MV https://t.co/M1wgBYDl5q
— CHURCH GIRL (@jus2fan)You sent Mbappe and Hakimi to U.S so you can give my GOAT a guard of honor 🤭🤭😂😂😂 https://t.co/C5KbLdpiNk
— 2022 MTN8 Champ Hey nina™ (@Sir_M_Charles)