Mbappe lifts Messi

After Messi's masterpiece helped PSG to win against Lille 4-3, the player and the home team ran to the touchline to celebrate the goal together. They all hugged and congratulated the Argentina captain, and Mbappe even hugged and lifted his senior and shouted loudly. At least twice Mbappe has done so with Messi, not to mention the usual hugs. The French star was also the first player to run to Messi after this goal.

PSG seems to relieve pressure after a series of three defeats in three arenas. Next to Lille at the Parc des Princes, they were even 2-3 down until the 87th minute, when Mbappe equalized. In the offset, Messi shined with a free kick that hit the post into the net. The 36-year-old superstar took the spotlight, although Mbappe was rated the best in the match.

Mbappe's actions with Messi also contrast with recent rumors about the two PSG stars not getting along. The day before the match, midfielder Angel di Maria also told ESPN: "PSG gives so much power to Mbappe, that they forget that they have the best player in history."

This is only the eighth match Mbappe and Messi have scored together this season, including seven matches for PSG and the other is the 2022 World Cup final. At that time, Messi scored a double, and Mbappe scored a hat-trick, but Argentina champion.

Three points ahead of Lille help PSG firmly build the top of the Ligue 1 table, seven points more than second team Monaco. This victory also helps them to revive their spirits, and add more confidence to turn the situation around against Bayern Munich in the second leg of the 1/8 Champions League round on the evening of March 8.

Falling at the last minute, coach Paulo Fonseca expressed regret but still admired the PSG stars. "Lille completely controlled the game, but the difference was that PSG gave Messi and Mbappe," said the Portuguese coach. "Messi has the best free kick in the world and I'm not surprised when he scores."