Currently in the United States to compete in the World Cup with the French national team, 27-year-old Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé gave an interview to the newspaper Le Parisien. He discussed, among other things, his time at Paris Saint-Germain (2017-2024) and his relationship with the Parisian club’s management, including Nasser Al-Khelaïfi.
Mbappé: “Paris Saint-Germain and Nasser Al-Khelaïfi are central to my life.”
“Even though I’m now at Real Madrid and captain of the French national team, Paris Saint-Germain and Nasser Al-Khelaïfi are still central to my life. In Paris, I had Luis Campos. Olivier Gagne, his assistant, who always guided me. I really talked to him about everything: life, my private life, football… He’s one of the few people in the sport with whom I’ve had such open conversations. Of course, there are the coaches.
And President Nasser, too!” Everyone only remembers the end, which is normal because leaving PSG is practically impossible. I knew that by leaving, I would end up in this situation. But before all that, I can’t lie, he did a lot for my family and for me.
Mbappé: “I have no problem or qualms about seeing things through.”
“When I have a conflict with someone and I think I deserve to win, I have no problem or qualms about seeing it through. But you shouldn’t confuse things: Nasser is someone I respect. It’s the club where I stayed the longest (2017-2024), I can’t pretend it didn’t happen. That’s not possible, and that’s not who I am.”
Kylian Mbappé will remain an iconic PSG player, but obviously not the legend some people were calling him. The capital club was propelled to the top of Europe the season following his departure. While he maintains “good relations” with the Parisian management today, it’s difficult to forget the various stories and statements that preceded and followed his exit.
The Bondy native took a significant step forward in his sporting career with the Parisian team, having the opportunity to play alongside huge stars and, above all, compete at the highest European level. Clearly, having spent seven years with the same club, he has every right to respect it. But it must be said that for a PSG supporter, it’s very difficult to maintain any affection for the former number 7 today.
