Kylian Mbappé spoke to the media on Monday, following his decision to turn down a move to Real Madrid and renew his contract at Paris Saint-Germain.
Kylian Mbappé says he understands the Real Madrid fans’ disappointment after he rejected a move to the Bernabéu in favour of staying at Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappé, 23, had been strongly tipped to join Madrid on a free transfer this summer, but PSG announced on Saturday that the striker has agreed a lucrative three-year contract to remain with the Ligue 1 champions, who he joined in 2017.
Real Madrid “did everything they could” to make move happen, says Mbappé
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Mbappé said: “I’d like to thank them [the Real Madrid fans]. I’ve never worn the Madrid shirt – well, I did for a week as 14-year-old [when he was invited to train with the club] – but they’ve always accepted me as one of their own. I’m grateful to them and I understand their disappointment. I hope they understand my decision to stay in my country. I’m French, and as a Frenchman I have the dream of carrying on trying to see France and its league at the very top.”
He added: “Everyone knows that I wanted to leave last summer and it was the best decision possible at that time. The context is different now. Now I know what I can bring to my country, the country I dream of playing in. There’s also a sentimental element, and the project has changed. I think my story here isn’t over.”
Mbappé told reporters that he made the decision to stay at PSG “last week”, adding: “Afterwards, I made the decision to call [Madrid president] Florentino Pérez. I have great respect for Madrid. They did everything they could to make my arrival at their club happen, and I’m grateful to them for that. I had to tell him [Pérez] personally.”
In a statement posted on social media on Sunday, Mbappé said he would be Madrid’s “number-one fan” in Saturday’s Champions League final, in which the Spaniards take on Liverpool in Paris.