Kylian Mbappe was instructed by Paris Saint-Germain to publicly backtrack on comments over his future after reports emerged that he wanted to leave the club.
The French striker insisted this weekend that he was ‘very happy’ in the French capital after initially refusing 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 striker was booed by fans at this week’s Ballon d’Or awards in Paris due to his ongoing uncertainty. Mbappe signed a new three-year contract at the Parc des Princes earlier this year but his future was once again thrust into the limelight last week, as bombshell reports emerged that he wanted to leave PSG.
After initially refusing to refute the reports and deflecting speculation away using others topics, Mbappe explained on French radio station RMC Sport on Sunday night that any suggestions of his exit from the Parc des Princes were not true.
The striker explained, referring to the news that broke that before his side’s Champions League clash last week against Benfica: “I’m very happy. I never asked for my departure in January. 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.”
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Those comments are now reported by multiple French media outlets to have been influenced by the club, who were said to be enraged by the situation. As highlighted by Marca, both L'Équipe and Le Parisien report that Mbappe’s words were seen as a compromise between the player and the club.
PSG were said to be left angered not only by the reports of a desired transfer – which the French media insist came from the player’s camp, if not directly from Mbappe himself – but his initial refusal to rule out the possibility of an exit from the French capital.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez this week claimed he no longer bothered even reading any speculation linked to the striker anymore, suggesting that their interest had been entirely discontinued. Mbappe provided the assist for Neymar’s goal in Sunday’s win over Marseille, as Christophe Galtier’s side moved three points clear at the top of Lorient at the Ligue 1 table.
