Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Ander Herrera has opened up on Lionel Messi’s impact at PSG. And Herrara has also addressed Kylian Mbappe’s contract situation with the club as well as the questions about Neymar’s commitment.
When Mundo Deportivo on whether Mbappe is overshadowing Messi, Herrera replied: “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.”
For his hints about Mbappe’s, as well as Neymar’s, situation with the Parisian club, read Goal.com’s breaking football news.
Ander Herrera himself arrived at PSG on a free transfer in 2019 following his departure from Manchester United. And he has since helped the club win six domestic trophies and even reach their maiden (/debut) Champions League final.
But it was really Kylian Mbappe and Neymar who have predominantly spearheaded PSG’s silverware pursuit during that period.
Then, in 2021’s summer transfer window, Lionel Messi added even greater firepower to Mauricio Pochettino’s ranks in the summer.
And Herrera, for one, is delighted to now be playing alongside the “the best footballer in history”.
Ander Herrera Has Opened Up on Lionel Messi’s impact at PSG
Messi spent 21 illustrious years at Barcelona before signing for PSG in August. But he has recorded only six goals and five assists in his first 16 outings for the French giants.
Herrera doesn’t think the Argentine has struggled to adapt to life in France, though. Instead, he insists that the rest of the squad must do more to help him reach his best level.
“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.”
