The Argentina international is playing alongside Messi for his national team and trains with Neymar and Mbappe for his club Paris Saint-Germain.
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Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes is in a fortunate position of playing alongside some of the big names in world football at both domestic and international levels. Paredes is playing with six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi for his national team and trains with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe for his club Paris Saint-Germain. He believes that the French forward is more like Ronaldo than Messi. The 26-year-old midfielder is a vital part of both his club and country. Currently, he is with the national team playing in the Copa America.
When asked by Ole for his opinion on World Cup winner Mbappe, Paredes replied, “As a player, I think he goes more for Cristiano’s side, more of an athlete. He is amazing physically. I think Ney and Leo have a different talent than Cristiano and Kylian, but they are physically incredible. And we must add about the quality they have.” Mbappe can play on the wide or down the middle and his ability to take on defenders with his incredible dribbling abilities combined with his blistering pace, make him an exceptional talent.
Paredes, who is currently on Copa America duty, only had good words to say about Messi and how great it is to play alongside him for the national team. The midfielder added, “When we had to play several games with Rodri de Paul, we realised that it wasn’t an obligation to look for Leo, but that we should find him when he can take advantage of things. I think that while his presence leads you to want to give the ball to him, he isn’t always the best option. He also has to be intelligent in that sense.”
“What is most surprising about Leo though is that sometimes he gets out of situations where we believe that we have to start running backwards. Sometimes you say: ‘He loses it, he loses it’, and he did not lose it. It’s incredible. You say to yourself: ‘Now we have to start running backwards’ because he is locked between three or four defenders and suddenly he comes out with a clean ball. On the pitch you think: ‘What did he do?! How did you get out of there?'”
Paredes, who arrived at PSG in January 2019, said that a lot of thoughts went into his head before playing with them. However, the midfielder said that he enjoys a “good relationship” with both of them. He added, “It’s difficult before you arrive. You start to think about how they’ll be, how they’ll receive you and how they’ll treat you.
“I was lucky that both have treated me in the best way. They’ve both made me feel very comfortable, and I have a very good relationship with both of them. I really enjoy being able to play with them and being able to share the dressing room with them.”
