Kylian Mbappe has revealed he will be at Paris Saint-Germain next season despite rumours circulating around his long-term future in the French capital.
Mbappe, 24, signed a two-year deal last summer with an option until 2025 only he can activate, having been linked with a big-money move to Real Madrid. However, the France international performed a U-turn and committed his future to PSG; and has since scored a whopping 40 goals in 42 appearances, including 28 in Ligue 1.
There has been rumours that Mbappe could be amongst a host of players to leave PSG at the end of the season, but he has confirmed he won't be going anywhere. Mbappe was asked about his future on Sunday and replied: "I'm calm. I'm very happy. I'm here. I'm making the most of it.
"I'm the best player. That's the most important thing. I have a contract. I have next year, I will be there, I'm very happy."
Mbappe was speaking after being voted as player of the year at the National Union of Professional Football Players (UNFP) awards on the weekend. It came a day after PSG were confirmed as Ligue 1 champions for the second successive season and Mbappe has played a huge role in that success.
Mbappe added: "This record is a pleasure. I always wanted to win, to leave my name in the history of the championship of my country. I did not think, despite all my ambition, to win so much, so quickly. It’s a real pleasure."
The forward came under a huge amount of political pressure to stay in the French capital last year, including from French president Emmanuel Macron – who contacted the striker to persuade him not to join Real Madrid. It remains to be seen how PSG will launch a counter-offer this time, but Lionel Messi and Neymar are not thought to have long-term futures at the club.
Real Madrid will come at any move in 2024 from a position of strength and it will be up to Mbappe in regards to a transfer, having previously rejected the move to talk to the club.
As for the rest of his PSG teammates, Lionel Messi is set for the exit door this summer. Messi, 35, is set to exit PSG in June at the end of his two-year contract. The Argentine icon left Barcelona after more than two decades in 2021 amid the club's well-documented financial woes.
But now Barca president Joan Laporta has spoken to Messi, previously said to be decided on a move to Saudi Arabia, and 'recovered their relationship' to set the wheels in motion for a sensational homecoming. Speaking earlier this month, Laporta told Jijantes: "We will do everything we can to bring Leo Messi back to Barcelona."
