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PSG: Ander Herrera opens up on Messi’s impact at the club

Lionel Messi
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The Spanish midfielder has spoken about the star-studded PSG squad.

Lionel Messi left Barcelona after 21 years to continue his career at Paris Saint-Germain. The Argentine star has displayed a few great performances but is clearly off his best form at PSG.

Kylian Mbappe still has the biggest impact at the club, despite his complex contract situation. However, Ander Herrera says the Argentine icon will soon regain his form at PSG.

 “Players of Messi’s level shorten the acclimatisation time,” Herrera has told Mundo Deportivo“He will play the same way in France, in Spain, in Japan or in Madagascar.

“He has won his seventh Ballon d’Or and trains and enjoys as if he were only starting to play now. No training action is taken as a joke.

“At times we have already seen the best version of Leo, as against [Manchester] City at home, but I think it is also the responsibility of all those around him. We have to put ourselves at his service to get the best out of him. Normally, regular players have to adapt to a new context. 

“Now it is the other way around because we are talking about the best footballer in history.”

Will Mbappe stay at PSG?

Asked whether Mbappe has overshadowed Messi, the Spaniard responded: “Kylian will be the best player in the world for many years to come, but we all agree that Leo is number one. No doubt. Mbappe has an immense humility and desire to learn from Leo.”

PSG are working hard to tie Mbappe down to a new contract. However, the player is yet to sign a new deal and will most likely leave the club next summer. Real Madrid are the main suitor for the French star, who is spending the last six months of his contract.

Herrera added:  “There is scope to try to renew Mbappe,” he said. “We have many examples of footballers who have done it in February, March or April. There’s still time.”

PSG ended the year with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Lorient. But, they are still on top of the Ligue 1 table with 46 points from their 19 games. The Parisians will return to action in a French Cup match against Vannes on January 3. 

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