Kylian Mbappe has condemned the treatment his former teammate Lionel Messi experienced during the Argentine’s two years with Paris Saint-Germain.

“We’re talking about potentially the best player in the history of football,” Mbappe told Gazzetta dello Sport, as translated by ESPN. “It’s never good news when someone like Messi leaves.

“Personally, I haven’t really understood why so many people were relieved that he was leaving. We’re talking about Messi, he should be respected. But instead, he didn’t get the respect he deserved in France. It’s a shame, but that’s how it went. He’ll have to be replaced as best as possible.”

Messi announced last week he plans to join Major League Soccer club Inter Miami when his PSG contract officially expires at the end of June.

Despite winning Ligue 1 twice, the 35-year-old struggled to live up to expectations at PSG after leaving Barcelona in 2021 by failing to help the Qatar-backed club achieve its goal of winning the Champions League.

Messi was booed and jeered after PSG’s most recent early exit from the Champions League when they were eliminated by Bayern Munich in the round of 16.

Meanwhile, Mbappe, who’s been linked with Real Madrid after news broke that he doesn’t plan on staying at PSG beyond 2024, echoed the remarks he made Tuesday by insisting he plans to play with the capital city club next season.

“I didn’t ask either to be sold or to go to Real Madrid,” Mbappe said. “I just confirmed that I don’t want to activate the extra year foreseen in the contract. We have never talked about a renewal with PSG, but I’m happy to stay here next season.”