Damning Footage Shows Kylian Mbappe Missing Lionel Messi's Barcelona-Esque Movement, Fans Call PSG Star 'Selfish'

Kylian Mbappe has been brutally slammed by fans for being “selfish” and “playing for himself” after not passing to new Paris Saint-Germain teammate Lionel Messi.

Messi, 34, made his hotly anticipated PSG debut on Sunday in the Parisian-based side’s 2-0 win over Reims.

PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino withdrew Neymar in the 66th minute to sub on the six-time Ballon d'Or winner, who received an incredible reception at the Stade Auguste-Delaune.

While Mbappe’s brace sealed a 2-0 win for PSG over Reims, the 22-year-old forward’s show-stealing performance wasn’t enough to stop fans from calling him out for failing to pick out Messi in a goalscoring opportunity.

Footage has made the rounds on social media of Messi finding space on the edge of the box to help out Mbappe.

However, Mbappe decided to pull the trigger instead and saw his shot cleared by Reims defender Wout Faes.

Juxtaposing the footage is a clip of Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba cutting a superb pass back to an onrushing Messi, who expertly converted with a first-time shot.

“[I] also noticed it, but Mbappe is selfish [and] he [went] to goal [instead]. If he [passed] that ball, Messi that [sic] could be a goal,” one fan said.

Another Twitter user tweeted: “I felt the same. Mbappe should've passed the ball.”

While another posted: “Mbappe is brain-dead [and] it will take time for him to learn.”

A fourth added: “Messi already misses [Jordi] Alba back passes.”

Someone else wrote: “Mbappe is playing for himself instead of playing for PSG.”

Mbappe’s future in the French capital has been plunged into doubt ahead of his PSG contract expiring in 2022.

The wantaway PSG superstar reportedly wants to leave the Ligue 1 club this summer amid speculation linking him with a sensational transfer to Real Madrid.

Speaking after PSG’s win, Pochettino insisted that Mbappe is “our player” and he is “really happy to have Kylian.”

The PSG head coach told Amazon: “Kylian is our player and you know that in football and in business there is always gossip and rumours.

“I think our president [Nasser Al-Khelaifi] and our sporting director [Leonardo] were very clear and he is still here. I am really happy to have Kylian.

“He is one of the best, one of the most important players in the world today, and for him to be with us is a gift.”

Featured Image Credit: Twitter

Topics: Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Paris Saint-Germain, Ligue 1, France, Football

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

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