Leonardo, the former Brazilian international midfielder who served as sporting director of Paris Saint-Germain twice (2011-2013 and 2019-2022), was interviewed by RMC Sport on Tuesday evening. He was asked to discuss Kylian Mbappé’s (the 26-year-old striker) potential departure to Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer of 2024, which led him to reflect on his own experience of wanting to leave for Real Madrid in 2021 and the French international’s contract extension in 2022.
Leonardo: “I think PSG will never do that again.”
It was supposed to finish this cycle, with Mbappé, Neymar, Thiago Silva, and Cavani.
Was it finished too late?
Perhaps…
You already said that he shouldn’t be extended, that he should leave in 2021?
That’s how it is. You have a player like Mbappé, you can make mistakes. That’s why we, within the club, aren’t involved in all of that. He was supposed to leave, but he did things differently.
Why was he supposed to leave?
Because he wanted to leave! Neymar wanted to leave, he’s leaving! That’s how I am. But I also understand, if you’ve paid a lot for a player, you don’t want to let him go like that. You have to see how he leaves. Otherwise, you have to manage the situation. Then, the player isn’t happy. That happens.
Are you leaving in 2022 because of the disagreement over Mbappé? Was it too important for a player? Too much money?
It’s not just about money. For me, if you have an opportunity that everyone wants, you have to take it. That’s how it is. You can’t say, “No, please stay.” It’s goodbye. I think PSG will never do that again. I didn’t agree with that, and that’s also why I left.
Leonardo: “I couldn’t stay.”
Did Mbappé and his entourage become too powerful before his departure? Was he practically the boss of PSG?
Honestly, I wasn’t there anymore; I had left.
Didn’t you feel that?
He renewed his contract; there were conditions for staying. It was a choice, and I didn’t agree. I had already said no before, so I couldn’t stay. There’s no problem between me and Qatar. We can talk about mistakes, about signing Neymar or not…
Look at Chelsea in recent years. Manchester United hasn’t won anything in 15 years. It makes no sense to say that’s his mistake, that’s good. The club has done things, the club has achieved things, there have been failures, behaviors that aren’t good. It’s a path that led to the title.
Would you still be at PSG if Mbappé had left in 2022?
I don’t know. Life is very short; I’ve never been at a club for more than three years.
Did Mbappé get in your way?
I don’t know if that was a condition.
Was it a breaking point?
It was a different perspective at the time. It’s all good, that’s how it is.
Leonardo: “He wanted to go to Madrid.”
With Mbappé’s entourage?
I had some good times, but towards the end it was more difficult.
Have you seen him since?
No, no.
You left at that time, for a reason.
Also in 2013, for other reasons. I have regrets, actually. I didn’t accept the suspension. I should have stayed, I shouldn’t have left.
Isn’t it always easy to stick to your principles?
No, it’s not always easy. Especially with Neymar and Mbappé, they were already here, with agreements in place.
Was it a mistake to sign them?
Difficult, yes. But you have the opportunity, you take it, I understand. There’s no point in saying it afterward.
Did Mbappé stay only for the money?
No, he wanted to go to Madrid. He stayed because he’s a Parisian.
