In the middle of a big row about his future, France international Kylian Mbappé joined a press conference. After a busy season, there are still duels in the European Championship qualifying period, but it was not particularly about France’s international matches against Gibraltar and Greece.
Mbappé in the spotlight and on the same wavelength with President Macron
This week, Mbappé felt compelled by reports to come up with a statement about a contract extension at Paris Saint-Germain. Mbappé proudly posed on the field at the Parc des Princes in May last year, holding a shirt with the year 2025 in his hands.
That year on the shirt turned out to be premature. Mbappé’s new contract runs until mid-2024 and it became clear this week that Mbappé does not intend to exercise the option for an additional year. Mbappé also immediately reported that PSG has been aware of this for a long time. As a result, Mbappé threatens to be able to leave transfer-free after next season, a doomsday scenario for the club from Paris.
Mbappé has made it clear that he still wants to play football at PSG next season
The news has already tempted French President Emmanuel Macron to make statements about Mbappé, who was of course asked about his future at the press conference. “He has no influence on my career,” Mbappé was clear about the leader of France. “But he wants me to stay in Paris and that’s my goal, so we’re on the same wavelength.”
Mbappé has made it clear that he still wants to play football at PSG next season. So he can leave for free after that. National coach Didier Deschamps of France sat next to Mbappé during the press moment and he was also drawn into the story. “He is used to being the center of attention. So this really has no impact on him,” the national coach thinks.
Deschamps declined to comment on a preference. “What happens between us stays between us. But he is French and so it is a privilege that he plays football in the French league. He will certainly leave someday, but only he is in charge of that. But there are enough internationals who change clubs this summer. We can talk about that too,” Deschamps tried to steer the press moment in a different direction.
Real Madrid will undoubtedly have looked at the situation. The club are still keenly interested in signing Mbappé and will no doubt give it another go. As the superstar’s current contract comes to an end.
