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French Ligue 1

Mbappe – Neymar feud may deepen over comments on Messi

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Kylian Mbappe has made comments which are believed may upset Neymar, his club mate with whom he is having a cold war. 

The troubled French international,  has claimed playing with Lionel Messi  at Paris Saint-Germain is “something else” even compared to his long-standing relationship with Brazil’s Neymar.

Messi rocked the football world earlier this year when he ended his long association with Barcelona to join PSG on a free transfer.

In moving to the French capital, the Argentine joined Mbappe and Neymar to make up one of the most talented front three combinations in history.

There have been a few hitches in their opening weeks together, with some signs of friction between Mbappe and Neymar in particular.

But the Frenchman, who pushed to leave PSG shortly after Messi’s arrival, admits that playing alongside Messi is something he could have never envisaged.

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“I never imagined him coming here!” Mbappe told L’Equipe. “He’s one of the rare players who I put in the ‘impossible-for-me-to-play-with’ category.

“For me, he was never going to leave Barcelona. I am savouring every moment alongside him. You can’t forget that it remains a privilege.

“He’s someone who loves football. He speaks with everyone, he’s trying to integrate in his own way, even if he is a bit shy. But he’s not shy on the pitch.”

Of course, Messi isn’t the first world superstar that Mbappe has had the privilege of lining up with, having spent the last three seasons playing up front with Neymar.

And while the World Cup winner admits that although he was a little star struck at linking up with the Brazilian, it paled into insignificance compared to PSG’s latest coup.

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Asked if he had experienced a similar feeling with any other players, he added: “Neymar, a bit, when he arrived. He was really extraordinary.

“But Messi is something else. It’s amazing to think that the only other club shirt he’s worn, other than Barcelona, is PSG.

“We have to realise that this is something extraordinary.”

Messi scored for the first time for his new club during last week’s Champions League victory over Manchester City.

Just four days later however, the Parisians were stunned by Rennes in Ligue 1, losing 2-0 where despite Mbappe, Neymar and Messi starting, they failed to register a single shot on target.

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And Mbappe suggested that there is still a learning process when it comes to adding yet another world class layer to their lineup.

When you only play with great players, you have to make concessions. You’re not the only big player,” he explained.

“It’s not you and the others anymore, it’s everyone all together. Because all we want to do is win.

“When you have Messi in your team, you know that he has to do a bit less in order to have some fuel left in the tank to be more clear-headed to score.

“So if you have to go back, that’s what you do. It’s not an issue, there’s an established hierarchy.”

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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French Ligue 1

Moses Simon hits Ligue 1 Milestone  

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After reaching a significant career milestone, Super Eagles winger and Nantes star, Moses Simon, was recognised by French Ligue 1 on Tuesday.

A pillar in the Nigeria Super Eagles side that finished second in last February’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, Simon is regarded as one of the most decisive Nigerian players in the French top division. He reached a milestone of 150 matches in the French Ligue 1 during Nantes’ 1-1 draw with Angers SCO at  the weekend.

The Ligue 1 official Twitter account marked the occasion, celebrating Simon’s contributions with a post stating, “Indispensable Moses Simon.”

In his 150 appearances, the 29-year-old winger racked up 27 goals and 29 assists, showcasing his vital role in his team’s success.

Simon’s achievement places him fifth among Nigerian players with the most Ligue 1 appearances, trailing only John Utaka (239 games), Wilson Oruma (196), Taye Taiwo (191), and Victor Ikpeba (170).

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Further cementing his legacy, Simon’s assist during the Angers match made him the most decisive player for Nantes since their promotion to Ligue 1 in 2013.

His pinpoint pass to Johann Lepenant in the 18th minute gave Nantes an early lead before Angers’ Himad Abdelli equalised later on.

With this assist, Simon broke the previous club record held by the late Emiliano Sala, becoming Nantes’ top contributor with 29 assists in Ligue 1.

This season, the Super Eagles forward has continued his form, recording two goals and two assists in just five games.

Simon was named Nantes’ Player of the Month for August.

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Simon, who joined Nantes from Levante in August 2019, helped the Yellow Canaries lift the Coupe de France in 2022. It was the third trophy of his career, having won the Belgian Pro League and the Super Cup with Gent in 2015.

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French Ligue 1

Sacked former Cote d’ivoire coach, Gasset announces retirement as Marseille manager

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Europa League - Semi Final - Second Leg - Atalanta v Olympique de Marseille - Stadio Atleti Azzurri, Bergamo, Italy - May 9, 2024 Olympique de Marseille coach Jean-Louis Gasset reacts REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo

Jean-Louis Gasset who was sacked by Cote d’Ivoire after the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations last January has announced his retirement as  a coach of Olympique de Marseille.

 He will take charge of his last game on Sunday before retiring from management, the 70-year-old said on Friday.

Gasset was appointed as interim manager by the Ligue 1 club in February after the sacking of Gennaro Gattuso, and Marseille are eight in the standings going into their final Ligue 1 game of the season at Le Havre.

“Sunday will be the last match of my career,” Gasset told a press conference.

“That I stay in football, that my experience, my ideas and my networks are used is a possibility. I don’t know how to garden, I won’t have anything to do. But as a coach, it’s over.”

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The Frenchman’s previous job was with Ivory Coast from which he was sacked after the team’s poor performances in the Africa Cup of Nations group stage. They scraped through as the last lucky losers before going on to win the tournament on home soil.

-Reuters

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French Ligue 1

Departing Mbappe backs good friend Dembele to become Ligue 1’s best

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Sealed And Delivered! Mbappe Has Already Signed Contract With Real Madrid -

Kylian Mbappe has backed winger Ousmane Dembele to be a success at Paris St Germain and fill his boots after he exits the club, as he won his fifth successive Ligue 1 Player of the Year award.

France captain Mbappe, 25, last week announced that he will leave the French champions at the end of the season after a seven-year stay, during which he became their all-time top scorer with 256 goals.

Mbappe’s frustration lies with PSG’s performances in the Champions League, a trophy they have never lifted despite huge investment in the squad. He has been heavily linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, who are in the final this year seeking a 15th European crown.

His 26-year-old compatriot Dembele joined the Parisian club, who have won 10 of the last 12 Ligue 1 titles, from LaLiga side Barcelona in August last year, signing a five-year deal.

“I have shared and played with incredible players, like Dembele who is here, he is a friend and one day he will pick up this award,” Mbappe said on Monday at the award ceremony.

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“I thank the club as a whole, the coach, who has helped me and trusted me, his staff, the doctors, all the people at the club, the sporting management, the president, the shareholders of the club, of course, the Emir of Qatar who came to find me at the age of 18, who has accompanied me in all my decisions…”

He said his next chapter is going to be very exciting but did not reveal any further details.

“Now I’m turning the page in my life. Everything that comes next is super exciting, but that’s another subject,” Mbappe said.

“Thank you all, I’m going to miss you. I have always tried to do my best, and I also want to thank my family, who have always been with me in good times and bad.

“My father, who is here, I know that it was very important to him that I made history in Ligue 1 before I left and I think that with humility I have done everything you wanted.”

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-Reuters

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