Lionel Messi reportedly sends Real Madrid message to Kylian Mbappe

Real Madrid will need to start bringing in reinforcements for the future very soon. They have been linked with a number of big names over the past few months. But it seems that their main priority now has to be signing a world-class striker, with Karim Benzema leaving the club for Al-Ittihad at the end of the campaign.

Real Madrid’s forward is missing several pieces at the moment. Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo seem to be the wingers for the future, however a first-choice number 9 is still needed. The arrival of Joselu has added to the ranks up front. However, he is only expected to be the back up striker and not the man leading the line throughout the season.

There are several players who could fill that role for Real Madrid, but there is one name that has been mentioned time and again. And that is none other than Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe has been linked with a move to Real Madrid for years. And with him not intending to extend his contract with PSG beyond the summer of 2024, there is a genuine chance that the Frenchman could be on the move in this window.

Messi reportedly sends Real Madrid message to Mbappe

It looks like Lionel Messi had some words of advice for Mbappe. As reported by Defensa Central (via Mirror), he said:

"“I prefer that you go to Barça but if you want to go to Madrid, do it, you deserve a real winning project.”"

It looks like Mbappe is not ready to extend his current contract with PSG, which runs for another season. As a result, they might have very little choice but to let him go this summer. Otherwise, they risk seeing him walk out a free agent a year later.

Real Madrid have two options at the moment. One, they can make a push to sign Mbappe for a big transfer fee this summer in order to replace Benzema. Second, they can wait another year and try to sign him as a free agent in 2024.