Mueez Ajao
– Kylian Mbappe said Paris Saint-Germain’s “sporting project” rather than financial considerations convinced him to snub Real Madrid and sign a three-year contract extension with the French champions.
– The forward, speaking at a news conference on Monday alongside PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, also denied that his desire to exert a greater influence off the field had been a part of discussions, and left the door open to a possible departure in 2025.
– PSG announced Saturday — ahead of their last game of the season against Metz at the Parc des Princes — that Mbappe would be signing a new deal, bringing an end to one of the most high-profile transfer sagas of recent years.
Also Read: Kylian Mbappe officially signs contract extension at PSG
– “Everybody knows I wanted to leave last year. But things are different now, in sporting terms and personally,” Mbappe said. “Leaving my country wasn’t the right thing. There’s a sentimental aspect to this, and the sporting project has changed as well. … We spoke for months about the sporting project, and we spoke about money for just a few minutes.”
– On Saturday, the 23-year-old had personally contacted Madrid president Florentino Perez to reveal his U-turn after days of uncertainty around his future.
– “I made my decision last week,” Mbappe said. “I spoke to Florentino Perez. I have a lot of respect for him and for Real Madrid. They did everything to bring me there and make me happy, so I thank them for that.”
– Mbappe has been a long-term Madrid target, coming close to joining the club several times, including last summer, when they made a series of bids worth up to €200 million, hoping to take advantage of his contractual situation.
– Madrid stayed in touch with Mbappe’s camp throughout this season and believed they had the player’s word that he would join them when his contract expired on June 30.
– The forward denied that PSG offered him the club captaincy — as well as input on transfer policy and other key decisions — to persuade him to stay in Paris.
