Kylian Mbappe says French president has no influence on his career, amid PSG exit talk
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Kylian Mbappe takes questions ahead of France's Euro 2024 qualifier against Gibraltar.
PHOTO: AFP
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PARIS – Kylian Mbappe insisted that French President Emmanuel Macron has no influence on his career as the Paris Saint-Germain forward lost his cool on Thursday when questioned about his future with the Ligue 1 champions.
The 24-year-old sent a letter to PSG
He later clarified that he had not asked the French club to allow him to move to Spanish giants Real Madrid this summer.
When Mbappe was linked with a move away from PSG in 2021, Mr Macron had urged him to stay at PSG and to continue playing in the French top flight.
French media earlier this week reported that Mr Macron would again push for Mbappe to stay for the long term.
But the player simply reiterated his stance that his plan was to remain with PSG up till the end of next season.
“What influence does the President have? On my career today, in 2023, none,” Mbappe said, ahead of France’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Gibraltar on Friday.
“He wants me to stay in Paris, my objective is to stay. We’re just on the same wavelength.
“Am I going to leave PSG? I’ve already answered, I’ve said that my objective is to stay at PSG (until 2024), that’s my only option at the moment. I’m ready to come back when pre-season resumes.
“I didn’t think a letter killed anyone or that I had offended anyone.”
PSG face the dilemma of allowing Mbappe to run down the final year of his contract and being unable to recoup any of the €180 million (S$263 million) they spent in 2017 to sign the forward from Monaco.
He also said he was not surprised by suggestions that the club could look to cash in by selling him now, instead of letting him leave for nothing at the end of next season.
“No, there’s not much that shocks me,” he said.
“I’ve been used to it since I was very young. I’m thinking about the France game. That’s my only concern.
“What happens outside is secondary, I’ve always managed to do both. I want to show tomorrow that I’m a great player.”
France coach Didier Deschamps also stood by Mbappe, who was named the team’s captain in March.
“We discuss a lot of things with Kylian, he’s captain of the team... He’s committed to the group,” he said.
“He’s no more tense than usual. He’s always in the spotlight, a bit more so recently, but that doesn’t have any impact on him and not at all on the group.” REUTERS, AFP
