Despite being heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé (25) made the shock decision to extend his contract with Paris Saint-Germain back in May 2022. With his departure from the club now confirmed, the Frenchman has revisited that decision in an interview with CNN.
It was a big decision to reject Real Madrid at the time, and not one taken lightly. It was understood at the time that there was political pressure exerted. Mbappé has previously revealed that he had talks with French President Emmanuel Macron about his future at PSG with the latter pushing for the former to remain at the Parc des Princes.
However, there were other pressures, notably from the club’s Qatari ownership, especially within the context of the Qatar World Cup, which at the time was just months away. “It was more than PSG, more than deciding to stay at PSG. It was the World Cup in Qatar, it was many things around this. It was a big decision, a difficult decision. I don’t regret anything,” he told CNN.
“In a career, you have to make difficult decisions and that is what I did and after that, I became the all-time top-scorer with PSG. I want to remember the best things but it wasn’t an easy situation and I wouldn’t [wish it on anyone],” he added. PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has held good relations with Macron, ever since the businessman, who is also the chairman of Franco-Qatari broadcaster beIn Sports, bought Les Parisiens back in 2011. The pair, working in tandem, seemingly had a significant say on Mbappé’s future back in 2022.
Two years later, Mbappé will now leave PSG. The Frenchman announced his decision to leave upon the expiry of his contract earlier this month. An announcement on his future club, Real Madrid, is expected in due course.