Kylian Mbappé’s (25) seven-year stay at Paris Saint-Germain came to an end this summer as the Frenchman ran down his contract before signing for Real Madrid before signing on a free transfer. It was a means of leaving that did not sit well with a former France president.
Mbappé’s departure has been acrimonious. It was reported that PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi was furious when he heard of the France captain’s impending departure at the start of 2024. Whilst the forward continued to be utilised by Luís Enrique towards the end of the season, he was certainly used more sparingly, especially outside of the UEFA Champions League.
He is now in a dispute with Les Parisiens over €55m worth of unpaid wages. Following the LFP’s intervention on the matter, it is a dispute that looks increasingly likely to go to court; PSG are prepared for that in any case. Former president of the République, Nicolas Sarkozy, a big PSG fan, has expressed his unhappiness with “the way” that Mbappé left the club this summer.
“Kylian gave seven years to the club – you can’t forget that. He gave us extraordinary emotions,” began Sarkozy in an interview with Le Parisien.
“He illustrates what we always see as a temptation; we always think that the grass is greener on the other side. I can understand that he wanted to leave. I understand his dream but I find it more difficult to understand the way in which he carried it out, but it’s his choice,” he added.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
