Pochettino: Messi is better than Mbappe

FT Desk

• 2 Aug 2022 08:00 CDT
• 3 min read

Former Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino has been reflecting on his time at Parc des Princes, and admits that he rates compatriot Lionel Messi above Kylian Mbappe.

Pochettino was relieved of his services over the summer despite delivering the Ligue 1 title, paying the price for PSG's latest failure to triumph in the Champions League.

Christophe Galtier is the new man in charge following his impressive stints with Lille, whom he took to the title at PSG's expense in 2020-21, and Nice, and the coach is boosted by the continued presence of Mbappe, who signed a new deal with the club to ward off interest from Real Madrid.

For Pochettino, however, Messi remains the real superstar at Parc des Princes.

"For me Leo Messi is the best in the world. There is no doubt," the Argentine explained to Infobae.

"Afterwards it is clear that Mbappe is a candidate to one day take his crown. Then there is Neymar, who for me is also one of the best players in the world.

"I was fortunate, of course. Working with the best is a blessing for all of us that love this sport."

Did Mbappe force Pochettino's exit?

Pochettino was also at pains to deny the reports that his exit formed part of Mbappe's demands in order to stay at PSG.

"What I think is that PSG have done everything possible to keep Kylian and I also agree with that," he added.

"He is one of the best players in world football today and I think that PSG, having all the resources to do it, have convinced him to stay. But I don't think Kylian is the one who has put together the new project [that saw me leave].

"Those in charge, in this case the president, are the people who must have thought that the best thing was a new project in the club."