Lionel Messi insists relationship with PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe is intact after the pair’s World Cup final battle

Lionel Messi insists there is no problem between himself and Kylian Mbappe following Argentina’s World Cup final victory over France.

Messi got one over his Paris Saint-Germain teammate in December’s final as he steered his side to a final World Cup triumph since 1986.

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Messi netted from the penalty spot as the South American’s took an early 2-0 lead. But Mbappe hit back with two late goals to take the game into extra time.

Both Messi and Mbappe scored again in extra time before the 35-year-old finally got over the line after a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout win.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez caused controversy in the celebrations that followed after calling for a moment of silence for Mbappe.

Then, during the celebratory parade in Buenos Aires, the Aston Villa shot-stopper was seen carrying a doll with the Frenchman’s face on it.

Mbappe shrugged off Martinez’s antics describing them as ‘futile’ but despite their international rivalry, Messi doesn’t believe the pair’s relationship has been impacted.

"We talked about the game, the festivities, how people experienced it in Argentina when I was on vacation, and the festivities we had. Nothing more,“ Messi told Ole.

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"I was on the other side too, I lost a World Cup final, and I didn't want to know anything about it, about what happened, and nothing related to the World Cup at that time.

"That's why I don't want to talk about it [to Mbappe] either, but the truth is that there is no problem with Kylian, on the contrary."

Argentina’s celebratory antics throughout their time in Qatar attracted negative attention from sections of the media and fans.

Martinez came in for much of the criticism as did a number of his teammates, particularly after their quarter-final penalty shootout win over the Netherlands when Argentina players were spotted goading their opponents.

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But Messi explained that his teammates’ reaction was in response to unsporting conduct from the Dutch players.

He said: "It seems unfair to me that Argentina's lack of fair play was mentioned because it's not true.

"We always behaved in an exemplary manner, on and off the pitch. My team-mates were impressive.

"I think they talk because of what happened with the Netherlands, that it all started there. It was the Dutch who spoke and who wanted to destabilise our players when we were going to take the penalties.

"Everyone talks about what Argentina did after their victory but no one talks about that. It seems to me we should watch it back more carefully and see what happened, and then comment."