Kylian Mbappé: “I didn’t say no to Real, I said yes to France and to a new PSG project”

A few minutes after the press conference which formalized his extension to PSG until June 2025, Kylian Mbappé received several representatives of the written press in a lounge at the Parc des Princes. All for eight minutes, in order to detail a little more the reasons for his choice.

In 2024, there are the Olympic Games in Paris. Are you guaranteed to compete for them thanks to this new contract?

KYLIAN MBAPPÉ. Insured, no. You will have to be selected. But that’s one of the things we talked about. The club is not against it. He is for. There were no problems during the negotiations.

How much influence will you have on the athlete at PSG, in recruitment, the organization chart?

You have to know how to trust people. It’s already starting off on the wrong foot in the project if your star player puts pressure on the sporting director. Everyone must stay in their place. If the club recruits a new sporting director, it is because he is competent. It will be necessary to give him time before putting Kylian Mbappé in his paws. I am a soccer player. Afterwards, if he wants to talk, I can talk about football for hours. Like with you or anyone. But I won’t influence recruiting or sales, that’s not my job. I’m not good at this. Where I’m good is on the pitch.

Have you spoken with Karim Benzema about this choice?

We didn’t trade. I didn’t want to overdo it. I know everyone was talking about Karim and Kylian, Kylian and Karim… But in selection, we only talked about the evening meal. We weren’t talking about Real Madrid. I didn’t want to force this stuff. When we meet, we’ll discuss it. He will ask me why and I will explain this choice to him.

And have you seen the “story” published by Benzema (which would refer to a “treachery”)?

I saw that all Real Madrid players posted it. It’s not just him. You don’t have to have done Saint-Cyr to understand that it comes from above, right? (Mbappé is instead referring to another story posted by Real players with the club logo.)

Do you know if Mauricio Pochettino will still be PSG coach?

The only guarantee I have is that he has a contract until 2023. I have a great relationship with him. The club will decide. But I get on very well with him.

How do you react to the comments from Spain which speak of “lack of respect”, which say that you had an agreement with Real?

I didn’t agree with anyone. I’ve always worked that way. We discussed the contours of the contracts and then I made my choice. I’ve already done the opposite and you’re stuck, time is running out. But I had no agreement. I can understand the disappointment. I thank them. All the “Madridistas” wanted to welcome me as one of their own. I am only grateful to them, for all the love they gave me. I did not say no to Real Madrid. I said yes to France and to a new PSG project. I had the call of the homeland and the capital. It was too early to leave for free.

Have you spoken with President Emmanuel Macron?

We talked a lot of times. Let’s say that was good advice. He wanted me to stay, it’s part of the negotiations. He is one of the various people I spoke to about football. This is where we see that football has changed and that it has an important place in society.

Can you tell us about this status of ambassador of France that you have?

If I’m an ambassador, you have to pay me (laughs). Our championship has been criticized a lot for not defending it enough. We don’t have to see ourselves more beautiful than we are, but we don’t have to be ashamed. France has an important place, it must be remembered. I had the chance to travel and in other countries, they are proud. It would be nice if that were the case here.

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