Mbappe on PSG exit talk: French President Emmanuel Macron has no influence on my career
Kylian Mbappe said French President Emmanuel Macron has no influence on his career choices as the Paris St Germain forward lost his cool on Thursday when questioned about his future with the Ligue 1 champions.
Mbappe sent a letter to PSG stating that he had no intention of extending his contract, which expires in 2024, but he later clarified that he had not asked the French club to allow him to move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
When Mbappe was linked with a move away from PSG in 2021, Macron had urged him to stay at PSG and to continue playing in the French top flight.
French media earlier this week said that Macron would push for Mbappe to stay but the 24-year-old simply reiterated his stance that his plan was to remain with PSG next season.
"What influence does the President have? On my career today, in 2023, none. He wants me to stay in Paris, my objective is to stay. We're on the same wavelength," Mbappe told reporters ahead of France's European Championship qualifier against Gibraltar on Friday.
"Am I going to leave PSG? I've already answered, I've said that my objective is to stay at PSG, 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 €180m (£154m) they spent in 2017 to sign the forward from AS Monaco.
Mbappe has finished as Ligue 1's top scorer in the last five seasons.
| Mbappe has underlined his commitment to PSG
"I've been used to it since I was very young. I'm thinking about tomorrow's game. That's my only concern," he said.
"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.
| Mbappe is in search of Champions League glory with PSG
"We discuss a lot of things with Kylian, he's captain of the team, he's committed to the group," Deschamps 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."
Source: skysports.com
Trending Sports
AFCON 2025 qualifiers: See Black Stars 25-man squad including 2 new additions
18:49AFCON 2025 qualifiers: Partey left out of Black Stars squad as Ayew takes captaincy
15:19Incheon: Opening ceremony for para youth sports camp held
11:44Ghana secures slot for 2024 CGF GAPS training camp in Mauritius
03:272025 AFCON qualifiers: 8 players withdraw from Black Stars squad
23:56West Ham striker Michail Antonio arrives in Ghana to visit Samba Football Academy
10:582025 AFCON qualifiers: Black Stars squad shored up with arrival of 14 players
20:54Arsenal eyes West Ham's forward Mohammed Kudus in £83m transfer pursuit
15:01Danny Jordaan: South Africa FA president arrested over alleged misappropriation of funds
00:52Goldfields annual tennis tournament concludes with record participation and thrilling matches
10:23