Real Madrid president Florentino Perez claims he is no longer interested in Kylian Mbappe, who was booed by fans at Monday's Ballon d'Or ceremony amid rumours he wants to leave Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe opted to sign a three-year contract extension with PSG earlier this year, keeping him in the French capital until 2025. It ensured he would not join Madrid on a free transfer this summer, as many had expected – bringing an end to a long-running transfer saga.
Last week, Mbappe initially refused to commit his future to PSG following suggestions of an exit. "For now, a second World Cup," the France international recently said when quizzed on his alleged transfer request. "After that, I don't know."
The French superstar's future was once again thrust into the limelight last week, as bombshell reports emerged that he wanted to leave Paris Saint-Germain - a mere five months after signing an extravagant new contract. Mbappe is alleged to feel betrayed by the PSG hierarchy, fuelling intense speculation - which the club are attempting to quash - that a move could be on the cards ahead of the January transfer window.
Mbappe was booed at Monday night's Ballon d'Or awards ceremony. The striker, who wasn't expected to attend, turned up to the event with his dad Wilfried. There was audible jeering from the Paris crowd when the PSG star appeared – seemingly linked to reports that he wants to leave the club.
Mbappe finished sixth in the vote, as Real Madrid star Karim Benzema claimed his maiden crown. The striker was the subject of some attention during the awards ceremony, with Madrid chief Perez quizzed about a possible return for the player in the transfer market.
Have Your Say! Is Mbappe likely to leave PSG next year? Tell us what you think here.
Perez explained at the awards ceremony, when quizzed on Mbappe: "It's not that I'm bored, it's that I don't even read the debate about Mbappe anymore. We have a spectacular future ahead of us. Vinicius Jnr and Rodrygo Goes are real stars. I see them as future Ballon d'Or winners."
Mbappe appeared to perform a U-turn on his PSG future on Sunday: "I'm very happy. I never asked for my departure in January," Mbappe explained on French radio station RMC Sport, referring to the news that broke before his side's Champions League clash last week against Benfica. "I was just as shocked as everyone else. There are people who may think I'm involved in this, but I'm not involved, I was taking a nap.
"My entourage was at my little brother's game, all the people who take care of me weren't there so we were flabbergasted when we heard about it. Afterwards, we had to deal with it, there was a game to play. Just to say that it is completely wrong, and I am very happy."
