Mbappe: "It would have been an honor to play for Madrid, but my priorities have changed"

More than a hundred media outlets have been accredited in Paris to find out the reasons why Mbappé decided to stay at PSG and leave Madrid standing at the last minute. There was even a waiting list for journalists to enter the busy press room of the Parc des Princes. Faced with such media expectations, the Frenchman arrived accompanied by President Al Khelaifi, who gave up all his demands to sign his renewal.

Along with his father, Wilfied Mbappé, his mother, Fayza Lamari, his sister and people he trusted most, he appeared in the room. Cheerful, smiling and without a conscience in giving up his childhood dream of playing at the Santiago Bernabéu. The first to speak was Al Khelaifi: “Kylian decided to stay with us for another three years. This is proof that the best want to stay in Paris. We want to write history with Kylian ”, he said.

The most anticipated turn, that of Mbappé, came soon: “It was a complicated decision and I had a lot of pressure, but I have experienced it since I was 14 years old,” he assured. The big question is knowing why stay: “Everyone knows that last year I wanted to go to Real Madrid but the context has changed. So has my life. I want to live in Paris. I am grateful to Florentino Pérez for the desire to accept me. I respect his club a lot, “he said.

Mbappé thinks he has not betrayed anyone, but he understands that it has caused disappointment to many people: “I know it was a disappointment for them, but hopefully they will understand that I want to stay in France. In my house. I am French and I want to bring this league to the top ”, said the attacker, who knows that with this decision the door could certainly be closed to a Real Madrid who did not understand the change of script at the last minute.

This is not an easy choice. The player wants to take his time to think it through: “I decided last week. I didn’t announce it to my teammates because the club wanted it to be a pleasant surprise, but I think they realized it earlier, “said Mbappé, who now wants to focus on his new stage at PSG and not look any further:” The future? I’ve been signing for three years. I don’t know what will happen to a long time, “said the Parisian star.

A Kylian who wants to make it clear that staying at PSG is for him and nothing else. Neither Messi nor Neymar: “This is Leo’s first year, and Ney has had a lot of injuries. We haven’t commented much on my contractual situation because it’s something personal, “summarized Mbappé, who wants to lead on this project. He doesn’t aspire or ask to be captain, but he will lead a PSG that feels ready to try to attack. the Champions League for the eleventh time.

Al Khelaifi hit Javier Tebas

Asked about the complaint that LaLiga is going to present, the PSG president was blunt: “I don’t have to answer that. He may be afraid that Ligue 1 will soon be superior. We respect people, but they also need to respect us. We have the best player in the world and that’s what’s important ”, he pointed out, satisfied for having tied up an Mbappé who is destined to mark the history of the next ten years in Europe.