A long-running saga lasting over a year was ended on Saturday when Mbappe rejected the overtures of Real Madrid to pen an extension at Parc des Princes until 2025. It was a decision that took the football world by surprise with Mbappe having reportedly given his world to the Los Blancos hierarchy he would move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
France forward KylianMbappe has definitely agreed to stay at Paris St-Germain, thus turning down an important move to Real Madrid. He has signed a lucrative new three-year deal with the French champions. The 2018 World Cup winner, 23, had been heavily linked with a move to Spain but has committed his future to PSG.
Spain's La Ligawas not pleased with the news, calling the deal "scandalous" and announcing it plans to file a complaint to Uefa as well as French and EU authorities. "This type of agreement threatens the economic sustainability of European football," read a La Liga statement, adding that it put "hundreds of thousands of jobs and sporting integrity at risk in the medium term, not only from European competitions, but also from our domestic leagues".
According to Spanish football expert GuillemBalague, writing last month, PSG were prepared to offer Mbappe a 150m euro signing-on fee to keep him for another two seasons. He had agreed a financial package with Real months ago for a potential switch to Spain, but has decided not to join Carlo Ancelotti's side.The renewal is said to have included the €150million signing-on fee. Also, he will have a say on areas such as the appointments of the sporting director and head coach, as well as player signings and sales [not confirmed].
Mbappe said he was "very happy" to stay at PSG after he and club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi announced the striker's new deal on Parc des Princes pitch before his side played Metz in their final Ligue 1 match of the season.
Since the news that Kylian Mbappe had agreed a contract extension at Paris Saint-Germain caused a lot of frustration at Real Madrid, the French forward also decided to speak about this, claiming that he is aware that this is not an easy situation and understands the position of Real Madrid. In a letter posted on his Twitter account, Mbappe explained his reasons behind staying at the Parc des Princes.
First of all, Mbappe's letter begins with by discussing his dreams as a child: "From a very young age, instead of dreaming about life, I have preferred to live my dreams. It is both a choice, a principle and a privilege. From a very young age, I have tried to move forward, from challenge to challenge. Since I was a child, I have built myself a path to the top, whatever it may be, but always keeping a watchful eye to respect a line of conduct in all areas”.
Since I was a child, I have been driven by the same passion and the same motivation.This sometimes causes incomprehension, but I accept this sincerity that goes with my upbringing. Today, I would like to announce that I have decided to extend my contract at PSG".
"I would also like to sincerely thank Real Madrid and their president, Florentino Perez. I recognise the luck and the privilege of being wanted by such a great club," read the fourth paragraph of Mbappe's letter. I understand their disappointment. I will be cheering them on in the Champions League final, in Paris, my home. I am very happy to be able to continue to progress in France, the country that has seen me born, grow and fulfil myself. And which gives me the opportunity to continue to pursue my dreams", he continued.
In terms of why he chose to remain at PSG and turn down a move to Real Madrid, he pointed towards the project at the French club by explaining: "I am convinced that here I can continue to grow at a club that has the means to achieve our objectives. I would like to thank president Nasser Al-Khelaifi for his trust, his listening and his patience. I am also thinking of all the PSG fans, in France and around the world, for their countless expressions of affection, especially in recent months."
Mbappe's final decision is also said to be influenced by French President Emmanuel Macron, who had spoken to the forward over the telephone several times over the last few months. Macron argued that Mbappe would be better off staying put because he is seen as an icon in Paris and could be front and centre when the Olympic Games are staged in the city in 2024.
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