Messi finished the tournament with seven goals and three assists in seven games. He was one of only three Argentine players to play every minute of his campaign, a total of 690 matches, after two matches went to extra time.
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Argentina defeated France in the World Cup final. The match ended 2-2 in regulation time and then 3-3 in extra time. In the penalty shootout, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez won 4-2. Argentina took the lead in the 23rd minute when Messi converted a penalty after Angel Di Maria fouled the Frenchman. Then in the 36th minute, a quick counterattack by Alexis McAllister assisted Di Maria to make the score 2-0 in favor of Argentina. Mbappe came to the rescue for his team, tying the score 97 seconds later. In the 80th minute, he converted a penalty, making the score 1-2 after Kolo Mooney was brought down in the Argentine penalty box. Then in the 81st minute, the PSG star made the score 2-2 with a stunning strike.
In extra time, Messi seemed to find the winner for Argentina, scoring after a deflection by Hugo Lloris to make the score 3-2 in the 108th minute. But then Mbappe answered again in the 118th minute, converting another penalty to complete the hat trick and make the score 3-3.
In the penalty shootout, Martinez took the lead for Argentina, fending off shots from Aurelian Tchouameni and Kingsley Coman. GonzaHis performance in the Parisian squad was excellent and he had already become one of the best players in the world, it did not lead to success in the Champions League. As a result, Mbappe remained dissatisfied with the organization of the team and the management around him, leading him to start thinking about a move to clubs such as Real Madrid in the last few transfer windows.
Paris will be wary of letting Mbappe go on a free transfer next year, and so either wants to extend his contract or is preparing to put him on the transfer market to recoup some of his investment. L’Equipe reports that Mbappe has been given until the end of July to extend his contract, otherwise he will be sold this summer.
Perhaps Mbappe wants to move to 13-time Champions League team Real Madrid, as this is the biggest stage for his soccer. Mbappe shined in front of audiences with incredible performances at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, including a hat trick in the final in Qatar. In France, however, he plays in a league dominated by one team, and perhaps he will look for another challenge in the next phase of his career.
Real Madrid is reportedly not interested in Mbappe at this time, having been rejected in an attempt to sign him last season. Mbappe stayed in Paris for one season to play alongside Neymar Jr. and Messi, but PSG lost to Bayern in the round of 16. It is unclear whether Madrid would be interested in Mbappe
