Mbappe is a once-in-a-generation soccer player, with only 19-year-old World Cup winner Pele’s second teenager scoring in the World Cup final and League One’s top score for four consecutive seasons.
The 23-year-old star striker has long been associated with Real Madrid. He was invited to the Academy of Spanish clubs at the age of 11 and posted a poster of Real Cristiano Ronaldo on the wall of his child’s bedroom, saying he wanted to join the 14 Europa Cup winners last year. ..
The Spanish giant submitted a $ 188 million bid to Mbappe in August. The deal was almost closed, and the striker even admitted at the time that he wanted to leave PSG.
“I was honest. I gave the feeling, I gave what was in my heart,” Mbappe told CNN Becky Anderson in December.
So it was a shock when the French extended their contract with PSG instead of contracting with Los Melenguez-to say the least.
“The project is always to win”
Mbappe explained his decision to stay in Paris by repeatedly referencing the “projects” built on PSG.
Despite using seemingly infinite funds, PSG has never been able to win the Champions League title and has the knack for unfortunate play on the knockout stage.
Clubs now seem to be changing their approach.
“If you change everything you want to change in the club,” Mbappe said before pausing and readjusting. “If the club grows up with me, I would be happy with this deal if I could write the history of the club with or individually with the Champions League.
“When they showed me this project, I thought it was interesting, and I want to try it. I want to try it again,” he said.
Other changes seem to be happening in Parc des Princes after Mbappe decides to stay.
“Sure, there are many changes that will happen,” club president Nasser Al-Kelaifi told CNN Amanda Davis.
“We want to create a new era, new projects and fresh air in Paris Saint-Germain. I think it’s really important to motivate everyone again.”
However, at a press conference announcing his extension, Mbappe denied that his new contract would give him additional influence on and off the pitch.
“There is no special responsibility to invest in the project here,” he told reporters.
“Macron gave me good advice.”
Mbappe was born and raised in Bondi, a suburb of Paris. He is 11 km from the city center and he has spent his life in the French capital, except that he played for two years in Monaco.
“He’s Parisian. He’s French. He loves his country. He loves his club,” Alkeraifi told CNN. “So he plays in the club for five years [and] There is a relationship. There is love between him, the club, the fans and his country. “
The murals dedicated to him are scattered in his former neighborhood where he became the hero of a young soccer player.
On the side of a building is a picture of a young Mbappe sleeping, dreaming of representing France. “Love your dreams, and it loves you,” reads the little caption.
From Banlieue in northern Paris on behalf of the French team, Mbappe’s value extends not only to performance on the pitch, but also to politics.
The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, praised the young striker, who spoke on the television show Chez Jordan.
“Above all, I think he’s very important and very helpful in giving hope to our youth, beyond football and results … so I want him to stay,” she said. Said.
Even French President Emmanuel Macron intervened to beg the young stars to stay with PSG and France.
“He gave me good advice, but in honor of him, it was my decision. I received this advice, but then I made the decision,” he said.
“I am staying and want to do my best for the history of the club and my country.”
New money v old money
The owner of PSG, Qatar Sports Investments (QSi), is a subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), a Qatar state-owned sovereign wealth fund.
The club has spent an estimated $ 1.5 billion on transfers and 10 league 1s, even if the Champions League title has proved elusive since the Qatar group, led by the Qatar chief himself, dominated PSG in 2011. Won times.
Just six months before Qatar was the venue for the World Cup, the potential to become a star in the tournament at a club owned by Emile has been considered a major coup.
According to The New York Times, Real Madrid has proposed to Embape a contract of about $ 140 million, a net annual salary of over $ 26 million, and full control over his image rights.
According to Sky Sports, PSG, backed by huge state funding, countered with similar signing fees, but with a much higher annual salary of $ 65 million.
This represents a rare opportunity for Real Madrid to be unable to match the funding of its rivals, rather than the “new money” club, backed by a deep pocket of the nation-state, with a vast history behind it. It shows that you have won an established “legacy” club.
“By announcing a loss of € 700 million in the last few seasons and having a wage burden of € 600 million, PSG renewing at Mbappé with a huge amount of money (knowing where and how it will be paid). What he is doing is an insult to football. Al Kerafi is as dangerous as the Super League. “
Tebas’s tweet reflects the views of his organization, which issued an inflamed statement when Mbappe was found to remain in France.
“Liga will file a complaint with UEFA, the French administrative courts, financial authorities, and the Union of European Football Associations against PSG to continue to protect the economic ecosystem of European football and its sustainability,” the statement said. There is.
“We know we’re doing everything legally and everything the right way,” Alkeraifi told CNN. “And we are very happy. No one will destroy the celebration of Kylian Mbappe’s re-signature.”
Source: www.cnn.com
