Paris Saint-Germain wasn’t expecting this latest defection, and they didn’t take it well.
Kylian Mbappé, 24, shocked the French soccer power with a note informing the team he plans to leave the club at the conclusion of his contract next June.
The superstar forward, who is making a reported salary of $1.2 million per week, had the option to extend his contract through 2024-25, but may cash in for an unprecedented sum if he lands on a new squad.
PSG is dealing with a star exodus. Last week, Lionel Messi announced he is headed to Inter Miami of MLS, and Neymar also is expected to leave in short order.
Team executives took the news “badly,” according to The Guardian, and it leaves them in a precarious position going forward.
“I have NEVER discussed any contract renewal with PSG,” Mbappé said in a statement to AFP after reports of PSG’s frustration leaked out.
“The board has been informed since July 15th, 2022 of my decision not to extend beyond 2024 — and the letter sent was only meant to confirm what I already told them.”
PSG now must decide if it wants to bet on Mbappé’s loyalty, which seems more unlikely the uglier these talks get, and the talent of its current roster to win trophies in the upcoming season –– with the risk of losing Mbappé for nothing next June.
Or the club could sell Mbappé this summer and completely revamp its roster.
While with PSG, Mbappé has collected five league titles and has won the Ligue 1 top scorer award five times.
He has also lifted the World Cup with France in 2018, and he scored two goals in a heartbreaking penalty-kick loss to Argentina in the 2022 final.
Real Madrid is considered the most likely landing spot for Mbappé.
Real Madrid previously has been linked to Mbappé –– who was a childhood fan of the team –– especially before he renewed his contract with PSG in May 2022.
“I have lots of respect for [Florentino Pérez] and for Real Madrid,” Mbappé said then, referring to the Real Madrid president at the time, according to The Guardian.
“They wanted to do a lot to make me happy. So I thank them for that. I’d also like to thank Real fans. I hope they’ll understand the fact I’ve chosen to stay [at PSG].”
The circumstances have changed.
Real Madrid needs to fill the striker void that Karim Benzema left when he signed with the Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad last week.
Mbappé is an obvious first choice to replace his fellow Frenchman.
It’s now PSG’s move with the fate of European soccer superpowers on the line.
