New Real Madrid signing Kylian Mbappe says PSG threatened to not play him after not renewing contract

Kylian Mbappe could be enjoying the shine created by his transfer to Real Madrid being confirmed by the Spanish giants last Monday, but he admitted in a press conference on Tuesday as France captain that he barely played last season for Paris Saint-Germain. Sports advisor Luis Campos and coach Luis Enrique were credited by the 25-year-old as having played a key role in him not being exiled permanently after opting out the final year of his contract at the Parc des Princes, which led to him being frozen. during the pre-season.

“They made me understand that I would not play for PSG again – they told me to my face and in a brutal way,” Mbappe said of the French champion’s position following his decision not to renew his contract. “Luis Enrique and Luis Campos saved me and I wouldn’t have set foot on the field again without them. Just being able to play was a great source of pride. however.”

Now that his move to Real is official, Mbappe can focus on UEFA Euro 2024 with Les Bleus without worrying about his future and also with clarity regarding the Paris Olympic Games this summer, after the provisional line-up of Thierry Henry being appointed without Los Blancos’ new signing. Mbappe insists that it would be unfair to think that his entire final campaign at PSG was miserable, although he considers that he would have insulted people like Campos and Luis Enrique, who defended him.

“I wasn’t dissatisfied with PSG and it would be a shame for those who defended me to say that – I was always happy,” Mbappé added at Tuesday’s press conference. “Things made me unhappy, but a player like me can’t show that because I’m a leader. I had to try to be as positive as possible and the players and the club’s coaching staff supported me in that. It would be wrong to say that. I was unhappy , but there were things and people that made me unhappy.”

Mbappe reiterated his joy at finally sealing a move to Real after years linked to the Spanish and European champions, but also admitted he cannot savor it for long as France need him focused for this summer’s Euros in Germany.

“This is a dream come true and it’s very exciting,” he said. “I’m very happy, liberated, relieved and proud. I’m very excited to go to such a big club – the best in the world. Thank you to the people who sent me messages and to all those who took part in this. It’s a big day for me, but We have to get back to other, more rational things. I have responsibilities as captain of the French team.

Mbappe also hinted that playing time with PSG towards the end of the season, when it became clear he was leaving, affected his fitness and will require work to get back to his best levels ahead of the Euros.

“It’s a huge relief and I’m really happy – I think you can see it on my face,” he added. “I played less at the end of the season and everyone knows why that happened. You have to adapt when you are a high-level player and that is no excuse before this Euro. to help France triumph. A happy man is more likely to perform well than an unhappy man – however there is no excuse for past performance and it will not win games.”

Mbappe and France are in Group D with Poland, the Netherlands and Austria, with the Austrians in first place in Dusseldorf and the Poles last in Dortmund, both alongside the Dutch in Leipzig later this month.