Lionel Messi looks stone-faced as he watches Mbappe net for PSG hours after ‘demanding January transfer’
LIONEL MESSI looked on stony-faced in the stands as Kylian Mbappe scored for PSG – hours after reportedly demanding to leave.
Messi‘s smiling and contented demeanour alongside wife Antonella appeared to change dramatically with Mbappe‘s penalty opener in Tuesday’s 1-1 Champions League home draw with Benfica.
The Argentinian legend sat motionless as he stared forward with glazed eyes and Antonella looked down sternly at her watch.
It’s claimed PSG are willing to let “fed-up” Mbappe depart in January.
And Real Madrid were immediately linked with a “secret deal” – which might deter Liverpool from bidding.
Messi missed the tie with a calf injury as PSG failed to land the win that would have sealed a place in the Champions League knockout stages.
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Mbappe seemingly put the French champions on the way with a confident spot-kick on 39 minutes after Rafa Silva fouled Juan Bernat.
But midway through the second period Silva was the victim as Marco Verratti impeded him, enabling Joao Mario to level from the spot.
Meanwhile, Mbappe’s future remains unclear amid conflicting claims.
He’s said to believe he made a “mistake” in signing a new three-year contract in May.
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But PSG sporting director Luis Campos says Mbappe, 23, has “never talked about leaving” in the next transfer window.
Many fans on social media, though, are hoping the French World Cup winner leaves – and that Cristiano Ronaldo joins PSG to finally link up with fellow GOAT Messi.