France striker Kylian Mbappe insists whether to go or stay at PSG is entirely up to him.
On the sidelines of the Viva Tech exhibition in Paris on June 14, when asked by a fan about Kylian Mbappe, President Emmanuel Macron said there was no news but he would try to convince his compatriot to stay at PSG until 2025. In 2022, President Macron revealed each impact for Mbappe to change his last minute decision, choosing to stay at PSG instead of signing with Real on a free transfer.
However, at France’s training camp yesterday, Mbappe affirmed: “President Macron can decide my career? No way. He said he wanted me to stay at PSG and I wanted to stay too. We both have the same thoughts.”
President Macron comforts Mbappe after the 2022 World Cup final. Photo: Reuters
President Macron comforts Mbappe after the 2022 World Cup final, where France lost to Argentina. Photo: Reuters
Mbappe also confirmed the letter sent to PSG earlier this week. In it, he informed the club about only complying with the contract until June 2024 and not activating the extension clause until June 2025. This is putting PSG in a difficult position. The Ligue 1 champion must choose between accepting the loss of Mbappe after a year, or selling it this summer to recover the transfer fee.
Mbappe confirmed that he wants to stay at PSG for the remainder of the 2023-2024 season. He considers rumors that he wants to move to Real this summer as lies. “Right now, staying at PSG is my only option,” Mbappe said. “I just sent a letter and I don’t think I offended anyone.”
Mbappe has been playing for PSG since 2017. To get the service of the French “prodigy”, PSG had to pay 200 million USD in transfer fee for Monaco. Through 260 matches, Mbappe has scored 212 goals, becoming the most goalscorer in the club’s history, contributing to PSG winning five Ligue 1, three French Cups, two French League Cups and two French Super Cups. But he hasn’t won the Champions League yet. Mbappe and PSG’s best achievement in the Champions League is reaching the final of the 2019-2020 season.
With France, Mbappe won the 2018 World Cup. France reached the final of the 2022 World Cup, but lost to Argentina in the penalty shootout. Mbappe was the top scorer in that tournament with eight goals.
Real is missing a striker after parting with Karim Benzema. According to the Spanish press, the former European champion team wants to buy Harry Kane, but Tottenham lacks goodwill. In the position of left-wing striker that Mbappe is playing for PSG and France, Real has Vinicius. If joining the Bernabeu, Mbappe may have to change positions, or accept to compete with the Brazilian star.