Kylian Mbappe has opened up about his future, refusing to rule out staying at Paris Saint-Germain despite earlier lobbying for a move to Real Madrid.
The attacker is one of the best young players in the world, if not the best, and his desire to leave Paris for Real Madrid was widely publicized this summer.
The deal fell through, and while many expect Mbappe to join Real Madrid on a free transfer when his contract ends next summer, the 22-year-old thinks it is not that simple.
‘At first, I was unhappy that I wouldn’t be able to go.’ But, hey, I’m not playing in the third division; I’m playing for a team that wants to win the Champions League.
‘I am a Parisian, I have a family, and I am happy,’ she says. ‘All I wanted to do was learn something new.’
Mbappe is part of an all-star front line that includes Neymar and Lionel Messi, who came from Barcelona at the close of the summer transfer season.
Despite their outstanding offense, PSG – and Messi in particular – have had a difficult season, with the team losing in the Champions League to Manchester City and drawing in their last two league games against Nice and Lens.
However, in a far from the competitive top flight, the squad has already raced to an 11-point advantage, which is one of the reasons many expect Mbappe to leave.
‘We’re aware that we need to do more,’ Mbappe said of the front three’s struggles. You can’t hide from it when there are three players at that level.
‘We need to do activities as a group that keeps us together.’ We must all do our part.’
‘It’s tricky,’ he responded when asked if he is the ‘boss’ at PSG. It’s cheeky to declare yourself the boss when you’re playing with Neymar and Messi.
‘Right now, I’m having a nice run, and the team is performing well.’ We don’t give a damn who the boss is. Because we’re game-changers, the idea is to put all three of us in the appropriate situations. That’s the way it should be.’
Florentino Perez teases Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid transfer
In the aftermath of Real Madrid’s LaLiga title celebrations, president Florentino Perez hinted that a deal for Kylian Mbappe could be close.
Los Blancos are back in first place in Spain and have been linked with a move for the French World Cup winner for some time. Mbappe was a target for Real Madrid when he first rose to prominence at Monaco, but he chose to join PSG in the summer of 2017. He’s been in Paris for the past five years, but his contract is up this summer.
He is currently free to depart for nothing, despite the Parisians’ determination to maintain their prized possession. Madrid had bids rejected last summer and are set to make another attempt to lure the attacker to the Bernabeu. The Galactico initiative, led by Perez, has long sought out the best players around the globe.
PSG won another Ligue 1 title, but their star player, Neymar, and manager, Mauricio Pochettino, both face uncertain futures after yet another European defeat. When asked if he and Mbappe will stay in Paris, the Argentine replied, “That [the fact that I and Mbappe are staying] is how I feel today.”
“That’s all I have to say to you today.” I’m at a loss for words. That’s how I’m now feeling. It’s football, after all, and you never know what might happen. But I have to respond to the question based on how I’m feeling right now. And that’s exactly what I’ve done.” Since joining the Parisians for well over £100 million, Mbappe has 167 goals in 214 appearances. Since his debut, his stock has continued to climb.
