Ronaldinho has predicted that Kylian Mbappe will stay at Paris Saint-Germain beyond this season to continue his partnership with Lionel Messi and Neymar.
Mbappe, a France international, is in the final three months of his PSG contract and has been linked with Real Madrid, as well as Barcelona.
PSG sporting director Leonardo promised earlier this month that he would “try everything” to persuade the 23-year-old to sign new terms at the Parc des Princes.
Mbappe has 26 goals for the Ligue 1 leaders this season, 19 more than the next best Messi, who joined in a sensational move from Barcelona last August.
Neymar has netted just five times in all competitions, meanwhile, in what has been an underwhelming campaign for both the Brazil international and indeed PSG.
While 2021-22 has not gone to plan for the Parisians, who exited the Champions League and Coupe de France at the last-16 stage, Ronaldinho hopes their front three stay.
Asked if he believes Mbappe can be convinced to sign a new contract, Ronaldinho is quoted by Spanish outlet AS as saying: “Yes, I think he will stay.
“But hey, with football, a lot of things can happen quickly. But the three of them together can do something beautiful.
“I will not offer my advice to anyone. I just want to see all my friends happy, wherever they are. If all three stay, it would be fantastic for anyone who loves football.
“The three best players in the world together is what all football lovers want to see.”
Mbappe is averaging 0.76 goals per 90 minutes this season, compared to 0.29 for Messi, who has endured a stop-start campaign in his first season away from Barcelona.
The Argentina star has 10 assists but only two goals to his name in Ligue 1 – not since 2005-06, in his early days at Camp Nou, has he failed to register at least double figures.
PSG fans made their frustration known when they jeered Messi and Neymar during their recent 3-0 win over Bordeaux, four days on from the club’s Champions League exit.
Ronaldinho, who played alongside Messi at Barcelona following a two-season spell of his own in Paris, was shocked by the reaction his former team-mate received.
“I didn’t understand that,” he said. “If you whistle Messi, there is nothing left. If you whistle the best in the world, who are you going to applaud? I don’t get it.
“This is not a Messi or Neymar problem. The fans were not happy about exiting the Champions League.
“They are the two biggest names at PSG so it’s normal the jeers were stronger against them. But I think the fans are unhappy with all the players, not just those two.
“This is football and normality will return. I hope now that Neymar doesn’t get injured because every year he wins something, either with the national team or with PSG.
“I hope that with Messi’s adaption that the three of them can write a great story.”
